Seismic safety assessment with non-Gaussian random processes for train-bridge coupled systems

Extensive high-speed railway (HSR) network resembled the intricate vascular system of the human body, crisscrossing mainlands. Seismic events, known for their unpredictability, pose a significant threat to both trains and bridges, given the HSR’s extended operational duration. Therefore, ensuring the running safety of train-bridge coupled (TBC) system, primarily composed of simply supported beam bridges, is paramount. Traditional methods like the Monte Carlo method fall short in analyzing this intricate system efficiently. Instead, efficient algorithm like the new point estimate method combined with moment expansion approximation (NPEM-MEA) is applied to study random responses of numerical simulation TBC systems. Validation of the NPEM-MEA’s feasibility is conducted using the Monte Carlo method. Comparative analysis confirms the accuracy and efficiency of the method, with a recommended truncation order of four to six for the NPEM-MEA. Additionally, the influences of seismic magnitude and epicentral distance are discussed based on the random dynamic responses in the TBC system. This methodology not only facilitates seismic safety assessments for TBC systems but also contributes to standard-setting for these systems under earthquake conditions.