Dynamic responses of Tsing Ma Bridge and running safety of trains subjected to Typhoon York

Abstract

A three-dimensional wind–train–bridge interaction model, which consists of a spatial finite element bridge model, a train model composed of eight 4-axle identical coaches of 27 degrees of freedom, and a turbulent wind model is established for the Tsing Ma suspension bridge located in Hong Kong during Typhoon York. The acceleration and displacement responses of the bridge induced by turbulent winds and running trains are computed and compared with the responses measured from the field. The comparison is found to be satisfactory in general. The runnability of the train passing through the Tsing Ma Bridge at different speeds is researched under turbulent winds. Then the threshold curve of wind velocity for ensuring the running safety of the train in the bridge deck is proposed, from which the allowable train speed at different wind velocities can be determined.

Keywords:

• dynamic response
• Tsing Ma Bridge
• train
• running safety
• Typhoon York

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Key Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) under grant 2013CB036203, the Natural Science Foundation of China (50838006) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2012JBM075). The authors express their sincere acknowledgement to Professor Y.L. Xu for his guidance when W.W. Guo and N. Zhang were working in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.