Work Description

The starting point for the model development, to predict locations where ground-borne vibrations will occur, will be a comprehensive assessment of the 'state of the art' of such modelling techniques. Measurement trials to assess the current norms for vibration levels and characteristics typical of three metropolitan railways will also be carried out. Armed with this knowledge and based on a theoretical approach, an innovative computational model incorporating all relevant parameters and excitation mechanisms will be created and validated by conducting trials in real situations. The model will yield for the first time a complete, validated calculation capability from wheel/rail interaction to re-radiated noise in buildings.

noise generation

In parallel, the project CONVURT will generate and develop ideas for innovative equipment to be incorporated into track or tunnel in order to minimise ground-borne transmissions. The most promising and cost effective of these will have laboratory and live trials carried out on prototypes to evaluate them fully.

The arduous railway environment causes deterioration of the track and infrastructure which often gives rise to some of the most challenging of vibration generation issues. CONVURT will systematically analyse these processes to develop novel techniques for minimising the deterioration and also will formulate Good Practice Guidelines to deal with maintaining an as new performance consistently over time. The project will also provide invaluable input to the development of a noise standard for railways currently underway by ISO.

Organigram