Vibration Characteristics of Direct-Fixation Track with Flexible Fasteners

Abstract

Rail vibration were measured on railway of Taiwan Railway Administration to reveal the characteristics of direct-fixation track. Hammer test was first conducted to catch the natural frequency of direct fixation railway and frequency response function of the system. Train-induced vibrations were then measured to obtain the insertion loss of baseplates and the frequency spectrum of train loading. The post-vibration on the track was also collected and investigated to reveal effectiveness of fastener on vibration reduction. The results of field measurements were validated with the analysis of spring-mass model built with SIMPACK. It was concluded that 100 Hz and 630 Hz are the major frequencies of the track system. The fastener was found effective in vibration reduction induced by trains.