eXclusions of Environmental vibrations affected by Railway Operations using metamaterials

With the rapid development of high speed rail system, ground vibration mitigation solutions are desperately needed.

As a novel vibration mitigation method, metamaterial can theoretically yield excellent performance in shielding dynamic waves in broad frequency bands. However, the application of metamaterials in railway-induced vibration mitigation is a very recent and ongoing topic.

Therefore, the XeRo project aims to establish new and practical contribution towards a better understanding of the mitigation effects by metamaterials for railway-induced environmental vibrations.

The experienced researcher (ER) will: 1) investigate the dominant frequencies of railway environment based on a 3D coupled train-track-soil interaction model; 2) design and develop the metamaterial based on the locally resonant mechanism; 3) characterize and optimize the metamaterial with respect to viscoelastic multi-layered soils; and 4) demonstrate the mitigation effect of the metamaterial on railway environmental vibration.

Implemented at the University of Porto, and supervised by Prof Rui Calcada, the XeRo project will allow the ER to diversify her individual competence by developing skills in railway dynamics, academic dissemination and networking; student supervision; and research management and leadership.

The XeRo project will also strongly benefit the ER’s inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary expertise and strengthen her international network considering a secondment will be carried out at the University of Birmingham.A two-way transfer of knowledge is guaranteed since the XeRo project combines the ER’s expertise in metamaterial design and railway vibration evaluation and the host’s expertise in the numerical modelling and dynamic analysis of train-induced ground vibrations.

Therefore, the XeRo project will contribute to Europe’s knowledge-based society, policy makers and rail industries by providing invaluable knowledge on the novel vibration mitigation solution in railways.