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Train-induced Wave Propagation in Ground using Finite/Infinite Element

Modeling in ABAQUS

Conference Paper · March 2009

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 TRAIN-INDUCED WAVE PROPAGATION IN GROUND USING FINITE/INFINITE ELEMENT
MODELING IN ABAQUS

Ramin Motamed1), Kazuya Itoh2), Sohichi Hirose3), Akihiro Takahashi4), and Osamu Kusakabe5)

1) JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
2) Researcher, Construction Safety Research Group, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan
3) Professor, Dept. of Mechanical and Environmental Informatics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
4) Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
5) Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
motamed@cv.titech.ac.jp, k-ito@s.jniosh.go.jp, shirose@cv.titech.ac.jp, takihiro@cv.titech.ac.jp, kusakabe@cv.titech.ac.jp

Abstract: This paper aims to investigate the application of numerical modeling in train-induced ground vibration
problems and appropriate mitigation measures. A finite/infinite element model was developed in ABAQUS to study (1)
propagation characteristics of the train-induced ground vibrations, (2) effectiveness of different vibration countermeasures
in reducing the ground vibrations induced by the trains. In this regard, first the numerical results were validated using
geotechnical centrifuge tests conducted at Tokyo Institute of Technology and theoretical solutions. Second, a parametric
study on both geometrical and material properties of the wave barriers was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of
these mitigation measures to reduce the ground vibration. Three different vibration countermeasures considered in this
study include installation of wave barriers using Aluminium, Acryl, and EPS. Conclusions are made regarding the
selection of appropriate parameters for the three abovementioned barriers in reducing the train-induced ground vibrations.

1. INTRODUCTION geometrical and material properties of the wave barriers and

The ground vibrations induced by trains can propagate
through the surrounding soils to adjacent buildings, causing
annoyance to residents or resulting in malfunction of
sensitive instruments located inside. Therefore, how to
mitigate the train-induced vibrations transmitted to the
ground that support the vibration sources has become an
important issue in densely populated metropolitan areas and
for structures housing vibration-sensitive equipment (Yang
and Hung 1997). Zerwer et al. (2002) employed ABAQUS
in finite element modeling of Rayleigh waves and notified
the importance of proper mesh dimensions and damping
characteristics in the finite element simulation. They
presented equations to calculate the linear Rayleigh damping
coefficients (average) with minimum variance within the
frequency bandwidth of interest. Hall (2003) also applied the
ABAQUS in the numerical modeling of train-induced
ground vibration studies and reported an acceptable
agreement between the numerical simulation and the field
measurements. Yang et al. (2003) conducted a parametric
study on train-induced wave propagation in soils using
finite/infinite element modeling and concluded the
mechanism of wave propagation in layered grounds for
practical applications. Yang and Hung (1997) also
implemented the same finite/infinite scheme to study the
effect of wave barriers for the reduction of train-induced
ground vibrations. They performed a parametric study on
recommended the optimal values for isolating the
train-induced ground vibrations. Moreover, a detailed
literature review on the vibration screening methods can be
found in Ahmad and Al-Hussaini (1991). However, few
works have been carried out to further investigate the effect
of wave barrier characteristics, both geometrical and
material, to reduce the train-induced ground vibrations using
ABAQUS in connection with geotechnical centrifuge tests.
In this respect, this research aims to investigate the
train-induced ground vibrations and appropriate
countermeasures using numerical approach by the dynamic
three-dimensional finite element program ABAQUS. This
software was employed using the supercomputer facilities of
Tokyo Institute of Technology called TSUBAME.
Considering the high frequency nature of train-induced
vibrations, ABAQUS/Explicit was employed in this study
and the main part of the model was developed in
ABAQUS/CAE as a visualization tool. Axisymmetric
condition was applied to model the ground and a uniform
mesh was implemented. In addition, the infinite element was
utilized to reproduce the infinite boundaries and prevent the
wave reflections.
First, the propagation of waves in the ground was
investigated by applying an impact-type loading. Then, the
attenuation of maximum acceleration on the surface ground
was obtained and the results were compared to the data from
geotechnical centrifuge tests conducted at Tokyo Institute of
Technology (Itoh 2003) and the theoretical solutions
(Bornitz 1931). These comparisons confirmed the reliability
of the numerical modeling by ABAQUS in this study.
Second, the effect of barriers in reduction of ground
vibration was investigated by modeling a wave barrier at the
transmission path. Three different types of barriers were
evaluated in this study considering their stiffness:
Aluminium, Acryl, and EPS. A benchmark model was also
analyzed without any mitigation measure, and then the
models with countermeasures were compared to evaluate
their effectiveness.
2. FINITE/INFINITE ELEMENT MODELING IN
ABAQUS
2.1 Characteristics of Wave Propagation in Ground
As the first step in this study, it was attempted to
establish the reliability of ABAQUS in the numerical
modeling of wave propagation problems. The axisymmetric
model was applied to simulate the ground for a more
realistic modeling. The finite element part of the model was
built using ABAQUS/CAE as a visualization tool. Figure 1
displays the finite/infinite element parts of the model ground.
The dimensions of the model were selected based on the
geotechnical centrifuge tests; hence the results could be
quantitatively compared. In other words, the centrifuge test
results (Itoh 2003) were used to validate the present
numerical model and confirm the reliability of the ABAQUS
in the train-induced ground vibration studies.
0.75
m
Input acceleration
Ground
model
17 m
Non-reflecting
boundaries
12 m (Infinite
Axisymmetric elements)
Figure 1 Finite/infinite element model of ground
According to the ABAQUS manual (ABAQUS, Inc.
2007), the Explicit scheme was adopted in this study for
analysis, because it is suitable for high-speed dynamic
events such as stress wave propagation in medium.
ABAQUS/Explicit uses a central difference rule to integrate
the equations of motion explicitly through time, using the
kinematic conditions at one increment to calculate the
kinematic conditions at the next increment. The term
“explicit” refers to the fact that the state at the end of the
increment is based solely on the displacements, velocities,
and accelerations at the beginning of the increment. This
method integrates constant accelerations exactly. For the
method to produce accurate results, the time increments
must be quite small so that the accelerations are nearly
constant during an increment (ABAQUS, Inc. 2007). The
automatic time incrementation option was activated in all
analyses to prevent any numerical instability.
The axisymmetric model, shown in Fig. 1, measured
12×17 m2 and consisted of 3380 elements and 3498 nodes.
The element size in the model was 0.25 m considering the
material with the lowest shear wave velocity. The elements
comprised of 4-node, linear, axisymmetric, solid, and
reduced-integration elements (CAX4R). The ground was a
homogenous isotropic elastic medium without any damping
at this step. Material properties of the ground are tabulated in
Table 1.
Then, an impulse type input motion was applied at the
center of the model ground (Fig. 1) and the propagation of
this wave throughout the ground was studied. Figure 2
shows the time histories of acceleration on the ground
surface at different distances from the source.
100
50 Input
0
-50
-100
20
Acceleration on ground surface (m/s )
2
10 Distance=2 m
0
-10
-20
10
5 Distance=4 m
0
-5
-10
8
4 Distance=6 m
0
-4
-8
4 Distance=8 m
0
-4
3 Distance=10 m
0
-3
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
Time (sec)
Figure 2 Time histories of acceleration on ground surface
at different distances from source
The graphic interface of ABAQUS was used as a
postprocessor to visualize the propagation of waves in the
ground, and an example of this visualization is depicted in
Figure 3. This figure displays the wave fronts at the time of
0.1 sec. Then, two different wave types were recognized (1)
P-wave: compression wave with higher velocity and smaller Therefore, a comparison between there two travel
amplitude, (2) S-wave: shear wave with larger velocity and distances was made and the results are given in Figure 4. As
amplitude. Hence, the first disturbance in the propagated is shown, there is a strong agreement between these two
wave time history, e.g. Fig. 2 here, is attributed to the arrival approaches, confirming the results of ABAQUS.
of P wave and the second corresponds to the S wave. This
recognition was conducted considering the time history Table 1 Material properties of ground
records (Fig. 2) and visualized format (Fig. 3) and then it
Shear Dry unit
was possible to calculate the propagation velocity of Poisson’s
Material modulus weight
abovementioned waves in both theoretical and visualized ratio
(kN/m2) (kN/m3)
forms.
Soil
17.9×103 0.23 15.435
(Dr=80%)

2.2 Finite Element Analyses of Train-Induced Ground

Vibrations

After confirming the reliability of ABAQUS in the

wave propagation phenomenon, the finite element model
was modified to investigate the train-induced ground
vibrations. In this study, geotechnical centrifuge tests were
employed to validate the finite element results, and this part
explains the procedure we followed. Further information
about the centrifuge tests can be found in Itoh (2003).
One important modification to the numerical model
Figure 3 Visualization of wave front propagation in ground was to consider the material damping. This option was
using ABAQUS/CAE applied to the model in ABAQUS using Rayleigh damping
coefficients. The Rayleigh damping parameters provide a
linear material attenuation (Eq. 1).
10
Theoretical travel distance (m)

9 P-wave D = (η1/2ω) + (η2ω/2) (1)

8

7 where D is damping ratio, η1 is mass damping

6 parameter, η2 is stiffness damping parameter, and ω is
5
circular frequency. In the Rayleigh damping approach, two
mass and stiffness constants are defined to produce an
4
average damping ratio within a bounded frequency range
3
while having a minimum variance. This method and the
2
related equations are elaborated in detail in Zerwer et al.
1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(2002). Table 2 provides the damping coefficients for the
ground, producing a 5% damping in the specified frequency
Visualized travel distance (m)
bandwidth.
6 Another important issue was to consider the increase in
Theoretical travel distance (m)

S-wave the shear modulus of soil with the increase in the depth or
5 overburden pressure. Therefore, the ground was divided into
four layers (Fig. 5) and each layer was assigned a specified
4
shear modulus to reproduce the real condition of the field.
3
Table 2 Rayleigh damping coefficients
2
Rayleigh damping Minimum
Average Frequency
1 coefficients variance
damping bandwidth
Mass Stiffness for
1 2 3 4 5 6 ratio (Hz)
constant constant damping
Visualized travel distance (m) 3.4163 0.001124 5% 0.1 1.5 ~ 40
Figure 4 Theoretical and visualized travel distances of
wave fronts Since the boundary condition in the centrifuge tests was
almost fixed (a rigid box with sponges attached), the
boundaries in the finite element model (Fig. 1) were changed Figure 6 shows an example for the comparison between
into a fixed conditions, providing a similar circumstances to the finite element model and the centrifuge test. As can be
the centrifuge tests. Therefore, reflected waves existed in seen, the records on the ground surface at the distance of
both approach records. 1.25 m from the source displays a reasonable agreement
specially for the case of first arrival wave which is believed
0 to be free from any reflected wave.
Real stiffness
Simulated stiffness in ABAQUS
In the next step, the peak values of the first arrival
3 Layer 1 waves were selected to draw the attenuation curves for the
surface ground waves. Figure 7 illustrates the comparison
6 between the finite element model and the centrifuge tests,
Depth (m)

Layer 2 and the results display a reasonable agreement. Moreover,

9 this figure includes the attenuation curve from a theoretical
approach. Bornitz (1931) suggested theoretical attenuation
Layer 3
12 curves for both body and surface waves which included
geometrical and material damping. It should be noted here
15 that the curved assigned to Bornitz (1931) in Fig. 7 indicated
Layer 4 the attenuation for the surface waves and demonstrates an
40000 60000 80000 100000 120000 140000 160000 acceptable agreement with the finite element and centrifuge
Young's modulus (kPa) results.
Figure 5 Variation of Young’s modulus with depth (Jung 6
1998) FE model
Maximum acceleration (m/s )
2

5 Centrifuge-08
The input motion in the finite element model was
Bornitz 1931
identical as the centrifuge test, being similar to an impulse
4
type input motion (Fig. 6). The frequency of this input
motion was 10Hz which is located in the frequency range of
3
train-induced ground vibrations (Yoshioka 2000 and Itoh et
al. 2005).
2
100
Input motion
80 1
FE
60
Centrifuge
Acceleration (m/s )
2

0
40
0 2 4 6 8 10
20
Distance from source (m)
0
-20 Figure 7 Comparison between attenuation curves for waves
-40
on ground surface derived from ABAQUS, centrifuge tests
and theoretical method
-60
-80

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 2.3 Finite/Infinite Element Modeling of Mitigation
Time (sec) Measures to Reduce Ground Vibration

Distance from source= 1.25 m After confirming the validation of finite element
10
Centrifuge-08 analysis in this study, it was attempted to evaluate the effect
of wave barriers as a mitigation measure to reduce the
Acceleration (m/s )

FE
2

5
ground vibrations.
In the centrifuge tests, an impact type point loading was
applied through a ball-dropping system which details can be
0 found in Itoh (2003) and Itoh et al. (2002). Wave barrier was
installed at a distance from the source, which was 2.25 m, to
-5 reduce the ground vibrations. A schematic illustration of the
wave barrier system is depicted in Fig. 8.
In this section, the screening effect of wave barriers in
-10
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
ABAQUS is thoroughly investigated and the results are
compared with the centrifuge tests. Moreover, the effects of
Time (sec)
barrier parameters, both geometrical and material, are
Figure 6 Time histories of input and recorded accelerations evaluated by performing a parametric study.
in ABAQUS and centrifuge experiment
 CL 0.5 m and height= 10 m. As can be seen, the amplitude of
Input Force the acceleration decreased as the distance from the source
F Wave Impedance 
increased.

Table 3 Material properties of wave barriers (Itoh 2003)

Embedded Shear Dry unit
Depth of Barrier Poisson’s Damping
Material modulus weight
Distance between Source D (m) ratio ration (%)
and Barrier R (m) (MN/m2) (kN/m3)
Aluminium 25.6×103 0.34 26.5 1
Acryl 12.1×102 0.35 11.8 1
EPS 11.1×10-1 0.10 0.12 5
Figure 8 Schematic illustration for wave barriers in
geotechnical centrifuge tests (Itoh et al. 2002)
Furthermore, a benchmark model was run without any
mitigation measure, providing an appropriate reference for
The finite element model was improved in this part by the comparison. Figure 11 shows the attenuation curves of
inclusion of infinite elements to model the infinite boundary the maximum vertical acceleration on the ground surface for
and minimize the wave reflections. Lysmer and Kuhlemeyer different barriers in addition to the benchmark model. As can
(1969) introduced the viscous boundaries (dashpot) for the be seen, all the barriers decreased the ground vibration in
analysis of dynamic problems involving infinite continues comparison with the benchmark model except the EPS
systems; hence an infinite half space could be successfully barrier at the area between source and the barrier and on the
modeled as a finite element model. ABAQUS implements barrier itself. Figure 11 indicates that EPS barrier magnifies
the principle of this theory for defining a non-reflecting the ground vibration at the area near to the barrier, while
boundary condition using infinite elements. beyond the barrier it performs likewise other barriers and
Three types of wave barriers were employed in the reduced the ground vibration. It should be mentioned here
centrifuge tests including Aluminium, Acryl and Expanded that the some amplifications of the ground vibration near the
Poly-Styrol (EPS) which stand for concrete wall, improved EPS barrier has been observed during a series of field tests
soil, and EPS itself in the prototype scale, respectively. which further information can be found in Itoh (2003).
Please refer to Table 3 for their properties. All these barriers
were considered at the distance of 2.25 m from the source of 100
50 Input
vibration, because of the limitations in the centrifuge testing 0
-50
which imposed this restriction, and this study also followed -100
the same configuration for the uniformity.
6
3 d=2.5 m
0
Vertical acceleration (m/s )
2

-3
Input motion Barrier (on barrier)
6
3 d=3 m
height
(h)

0
-3

width
3 d=5 m
(w)
0
-3

3
d=8 m
0
-3
Infinite
boundary 2 d=11 m
Axisymmetric 0

-2
Figure 9 Model of wave barrier in finite element program 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
(ABAQUS) – width=w and height=h Time (sec)
Figure 10 displays the time histories of the vertical Figure 10 Time histories of vertical acceleration on ground
accelerations on the ground surface of a model with the surface at different distances (d) from the source – model
Aluminium barrier which had the configuration of width= with Aluminium barrier (w=0.5 m and h=10 m)
 Furthermore, Fig. 11 provides the evidence that in deep 2.25 m

barriers, i.e. 10 m here, stiff materials would more 100

without barrier
significantly reduce the ground vibration compared to the

Maximum acceleration (m/s )

2
soft materials. Aluminium barrier
(w=0.25m)
In order to investigate the effect of barrier depth, several h=2.5m
models were run with different penetration depths (h=2.5, h=5.0m
h=10.0m
5.0, 10, 15 m), and Fig. 12 displays two examples of the h=15.0m
10
results for the case of Aluminium and EPS barriers. These
two materials represent the stiff and soft barriers,
respectively.
The results in Fig. 12 imply that increasing the depth
could effectively enhance the performance of a stiff barrier,
i.e. Aluminium here, while this parameter showed a little 1
effect on the soft barrier, i.e. EPS. Hence, deeper depth in the 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
stiff barriers would mean a better performance in the ground Distance (m)
2.25 m
vibration reduction.
100
without barrier
2.25 m

Maximum acceleration (m/s )

2
100 EPS barrier
Attenuation on ground surface (w=0.25m)
Barrier (w=0.50 m, h=10.0m) h=2.5m
Maximum acceleration (m/s )
2

No barrier h=5.0m
Aluminium h=10.0m
10 h=15.0m
Acryl
EPS
10

1
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Distance (m)
1
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Figure 12 Attenuation curves of vertical acceleration on
Distance (m) ground surface for Aluminium and EPS barriers for different
depths (width=0.25 m)
Figure 11 Attenuation curves of vertical acceleration on
ground surface for different barriers (w=0.5 m. h=10 m) 90
Reduction factor (%)

60
30 Aluminium barrier
FE model
In addition, a comparison was made between the 0
h=2.5 m
-30 h=5.0 m
ABAQUS results and the mitigation experiments in the h=10 m
-60 h=15 m
geotechnical centrifuge tests and an example is presented in -90
Fig. 13 for the case of the Aluminium barrier. 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
A parameter called Reduction Factor (R.F.) was
90
introduced in this study to provide a quantitative comparison
Reduction factor (%)

60
between the ABAQUS and the centrifuge tests, since 30
amplitude of the input motion in the centrifuge tests was not 0 Aluminium barrier
Centrifuge tests
constant. This parameter represents the efficiency of a -30 h=5.0 m
h=10 m
barrier in the ground vibration reduction as follows: -60 h=15 m
-90

 A  Am  100
R.F .  w
(2) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Distance from source (m)

Aw
where R.F. is reduction factor (%), Aw is maximum ground
acceleration without any mitigation measure, and Am is
maximum ground acceleration with a vibration
countermeasure. The positive R.F. represents effective
vibration mitigation, while a negative value stands for
vibration amplification.
Figure 13 Comparison between numerical results from
ABAQUS and geotechnical centrifuge tests (Itoh 2003) for
case of Aluminium barrier (width=0.25 m)
The comparison in Fig. 13 demonstrates an acceptable
agreement between these two approaches. In other words,
 Fig. 13 again confirms the validity and reliability of the
finite/infinite element modeling in ABAQUS for the studies
related to the train-induced ground vibration and the
mitigation measures. Moreover, it is to be noted here that
some negative R.F. values near the boundary in the
centrifuge test would be accounted for the wave reflection
phenomenon as a result of the rigid side of experimental
container.
3. CONCLUSIONS
In this study, finite/infinite element modeling of the
train-induced ground vibration was conducted using
ABAQUS and the following conclusions are drawn:
(1) Reliability and validity of the present finite/infinite
element model in ABAQUS was confirmed using
the geotechnical centrifuge tests.
(2) Wave barriers as the mitigation measures were
employed and their efficiency in the ground
vibration reduction was investigated in detail.
(3) It was shown that increasing the depth is an
effective tool in enhancing the performance of stiff
barriers, while this solution would result in
insignificant outcome for the case of soft barriers.
(4) Stiffer materials provide a more effective vibration
countermeasure than soft ones for the deep
barriers.
(5) Reasonable agreement was established between the
mitigation experiments in centrifuge and the results
from ABAQUS which enables us to consider
ABAQUS as a reliable measure for this type of
studies.
Wave Propagation in Layered Soils Using Finite/Infinite
Element Simulation,” Soil Dynamics and Earthquake
Engineering 23, 263-278.
Yang, Y.B. and Hung, H.H. (1997), “A Parametric Study of Wave
Barriers for Reduction of Train-Induced Vibrations,”
International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering 40,
3729-3747.
Ahmad, S. and Al-Hussaini, T.M. (1991), “Simplified Design for
Vibration Screening by Open and In-Filled Trenches,” Journal
of Geotechnical Engineering, American Society of Civil
Engineers, 117 (1), 67-88.
Bornitz, G. (1931), “Uber die Ausbreitung der von
Grozklolbenmaschinen erzeugten Bodenschwingungen in die
Tiefe,” Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Yoshioka, O. (2000), “Basic Characteristics of Shinkansen-Induced
Ground Vibration and its Reduction Measures,” Proceedings of
International Workshop WAVE 2000, Balkema, Bochurn,
219-240.
Itoh, K., Zeng, X., Koda, M., Murata, O., and Kusakabe, O. (2005),
“Centrifuge Simulation of wave Propagation due to Vertical
Vibration on Shallow Foundations and Vibration Attenuation
Countermeasures,” Journal of Vibration and Control, No. 11,
781-800.

Acknowledgements:
The first author acknowledges the support from the Japan
Society for the Promotion of Sciences (JSPS) to conduct this
research through a postdoctoral fellowship. This support is very
much appreciated.

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