FIELD MEASUREMENTS OF THE VIBRATION PROPERTIES OF ELEVATED RAPID TRANSIT STRUCTURES

Vibrations induced into rail rapid transit structures may be radiated from the structure as airborne noise that disturbs the rider and the wayside community or as ground-borne vibrations which propagate into the foundations of wayside structures setting walls, floors, and common household items into annoying vibration. This report describes the results of field measurements on existing steel elevated structures presented to aid transit operators and engineers concerned with design, performance, repair, and evaluation of steel elevated rapid transit structures. These measurements showed that the peak acceleration levels are generated in decreasing order of magnitude on the rail, on the top and bottom girder flanges, on the girder web, on cross-bracing, on the column, and at the footing base. In addition, peak acceleration levels of 70 g are little attenuated as they are transmitted from the rail through the structure, and peak acceleration levels significantly increase for increasing train speeds.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Illinois, Chicago

  Department of Materials Engineering
  Chicago, IL  United States  60680

  Department of Transportation

  Office of University Research, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Venema, T
  • SILVER, M L
• Publication Date: 1974-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 83 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Elevated structures; Field tests; Noise sources; Power spectra; Railroad bridges; Railroad facilities; Rapid transit; Resonance frequency; Structural analysis; Structural members; Tests; Vibration
• Old TRIS Terms: Rapid transit railways; Vibration levels; Wayside
• Subject Areas: Construction; Public Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00151219
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/TST-75/43 Intrm Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DOT-OS-30092
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 13 1981 12:00AM