Analysis of vibrations in a modeled ballasted track using measured rail defects

Vibrations generated by trains and transmitted to the ground and nearby structures are a known source of problems associated with railway transport. Therefore this phenomenon should be studied in detail to avoid a negative impact on the environment. Within this framework, the article develops an improved version of a previously published analytical model capable of predicting ground vibrations caused by the passing railway vehicles. The new features include a new formulation of the models with five layers of material and an enhanced load input process that takes into account actual rail defects data as well as the Hertz theory for the rail-wheel contact. The model is adapted to a conventional ballasted track in Solares (Spain) as well as calibrated and validated with data collected on site. Hence the model is proved to be able to properly reproduce vibrations for the case of varying track typologies, constituting a useful research and design tool.