IF articles

The article presents a new methodology

for analysing dynamic soil-structure interaction connected

to rail traffic.

The results can be used to monitor the weak vibrations

caused by traffic and to improve the resistance of structures

to earthquakes.

The proposed methodology entails the use of two

three-dimensional models functionally connected and

comparable with experimental data.

The first model, a “wagons-track” model, instantaneously

provides the strengths in the rail-sleeper connections

created by the transit of wagons/trains, which vary

according to load and use. These strengths are the input

for the second model which evaluates “soil-structure” interaction

to evaluate the structural vibrations.

This analysis methodology was applied to the archaeological

zone of Rome comprising the Colosseum and the

Arch of Constantine which is affected by the underground

railway.

The characteristics of motion s(t), v(t) and a(t) for all

of the nodes, and the tensorial characteristics !(t) and "(t)

for all of the finite elements (EF) of the model are obtained

for the unidirectional transit of a railway wagon

running along this line at the end of the 1980’s. The results

are discussed for a “sample pillar” of the Colosseum.