Rolling noise characteristics of a metro train in a tunnel with floating slab track
Rolling noise characteristics of a metro train in a tunnel with floating slab track
Concrete slab track is widely used in urban rail systems for its low maintenance needs. Where higher ground vibration isolation is required, floating slab track (FST) is applied. However, tests indicate that FST increases interior noise. This research studies the impact of steel-spring FST on rolling noise, using numerical modelling and field measurement. Finite element models of both track types were validated experimentally, and their frequency responses and decay rates were compared. Sound radiation was analysed using boundary element models. Coupled wheel–rail models with measured roughness were used to predict rolling noise spectra. For comparison, noise measurements were carried out on trailer bogies in a tunnel. The results show that the steel-spring FST produces about 10 dB higher rolling noise than conventional slab track below 250 Hz, mainly due to increased vertical slab vibration. For the normal slab track, tunnel wall radiation contributes to low-frequency noise below 250 Hz.
boundary element method, finite element method, floating slab track, Metro, rolling noise, track dynamics
Sun, Wenjing
697ae912-77f1-43f4-b7ee-38cf7fb986b2
Zheng, Fang
99f5734a-8571-4669-8a66-f12a20ab9bf4
Thompson, David
bca37fd3-d692-4779-b663-5916b01edae5
Squicciarini, Giacomo
c1bdd1f6-a2e8-435c-a924-3e052d3d191e
Sun, Wenjing
697ae912-77f1-43f4-b7ee-38cf7fb986b2
Zheng, Fang
99f5734a-8571-4669-8a66-f12a20ab9bf4
Thompson, David
bca37fd3-d692-4779-b663-5916b01edae5
Squicciarini, Giacomo
c1bdd1f6-a2e8-435c-a924-3e052d3d191e
Sun, Wenjing, Zheng, Fang, Thompson, David and Squicciarini, Giacomo
(2025)
Rolling noise characteristics of a metro train in a tunnel with floating slab track.
International Journal of Rail Transportation.
(doi:10.1080/23248378.2025.2571666).
Abstract
Concrete slab track is widely used in urban rail systems for its low maintenance needs. Where higher ground vibration isolation is required, floating slab track (FST) is applied. However, tests indicate that FST increases interior noise. This research studies the impact of steel-spring FST on rolling noise, using numerical modelling and field measurement. Finite element models of both track types were validated experimentally, and their frequency responses and decay rates were compared. Sound radiation was analysed using boundary element models. Coupled wheel–rail models with measured roughness were used to predict rolling noise spectra. For comparison, noise measurements were carried out on trailer bogies in a tunnel. The results show that the steel-spring FST produces about 10 dB higher rolling noise than conventional slab track below 250 Hz, mainly due to increased vertical slab vibration. For the normal slab track, tunnel wall radiation contributes to low-frequency noise below 250 Hz.
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Rolling noise characteristics of a metro train in a tunnel with floating slab track
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Rolling Noise Characteristics of a Metro Train in a Tunnel with Floating Slab Track CLEAN
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 3 October 2025
e-pub ahead of print date: 10 October 2025
Keywords:
boundary element method, finite element method, floating slab track, Metro, rolling noise, track dynamics
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 506830
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/506830
ISSN: 2324-8378
PURE UUID: 68925745-675c-4810-92a9-7cceab836bbb
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Date deposited: 18 Nov 2025 18:11
Last modified: 19 Nov 2025 02:45
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Author:
Wenjing Sun
Author:
Fang Zheng
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