Predictions and measurements of the ground vibration on Tainan Science Park induced by high-speed trains

The problem of ground vibration on the surface of Tainan Science Park (TSP) induced by high speed trains of Taiwan High Speed Railway (THSR) created a historically unprecedented engineering conundrum because of the close vicinity of the rail route to the hi-tech park. An international competition was held to find a way to resolve the internationally publicized '' high speed rail vibration problem.'' The Hybrid Vibration Mitigation System (HVMS) was validated to be an effective solution, winning back the confidence of the country's key high-tech manufacturers. The HVMS has been installed along the high speed rail in the Science Park; its total length is about 4500m, and consists of two main parts, which are the foundation stiffening block (FSB), and the elastic base wall (EBW). The FSB was installed between the pile: caps of viaducts to integrate the discrete viaduct bases into a continuous solid foundation; and the point vibration source from pier impacted by traveling trains will be redistributed into line source with smaller amplitude. The EBW was established at 40m similar to 50m from THSR-alignment centerline and used as second vibration mitigation device, to reduce the level of vibration propagating toward the surface of TSP. The evaluations of ground vibrations for the cases with and without HVMS have been carried out by numerical analysis at design stage and the measurements at discrete point located on the surface of TSP were performed after construction. The result of the mega-type construction is proven successfully.