Field measurement, analysis and protection for the vibration of an ancient ruin induced by railway

Increasingly ancient ruins are subjected to higher levels of vibrations induced by rail due to urbanization. In this way, to better understand and preserve ancient ruins against train-induced vibrations, vibration measurements and FE analysis were conducted on the Hangu Pass, Luoyang, China, located adjacent to the Longhai railway line. Firstly, damage descriptions of the Hangu Pass are conducted, and train-induced vibrations were recorded at several points on the ground and the ruin. Then, attenuation characteristics of vibration in the ground and on the ruin were examined. Secondly, based on the FE analysis, the stress distributions of the Hangu Pass are present when the train crossed the nearby railway line. The results showed that the maximum stress distribution from the result of the FE analysis is similar to crack distribution of the Hangu Pass, which confirmed that the train-induced vibration is a significant factor to deteriorate the Hangu Pass. Thirdly, in order to protect the Hangu Pass against train-induced vibrations, an anti-vibration system, isolation trench, is introduced. The FE model of the Hangu Pass with isolation trench is established. The effect of the trench's width, depth, location and filling materials on decreasing the train-induced vibrations of the Hangu Pass are studied. The results showed that the set isolation trench can protect the ancient ruin against environmental vibration. © JVE INTERNATIONAL LTD.