Ground vibration generated by a load moving along a railway track

The propagation of vibration generated by a harmonic or a constant load mov ing along a layered beam resting on the layered half-space is investigated theoretically in this paper. The solution to this problem can be used to st udy the ground vibration generated by the motion of a train axle load on a railway track. In this application, the ground is modelled as a number of p arallel viscoelastic layers overlying an elastic half-space or a rigid foun dation. The track, including the rails, rail pad, sleepers and ballast, is modelled as an infinite, layered beam structure. The modal nature of propag ation in the ground for a chosen set of ground parameters is discussed and the results of the model are presented showing the characteristics of the v ibration generated by a constant load and an oscillatory load at speeds bel ow, near to, and above the lowest ground wave speed. (C) 1999 Academic Pres s.