Prediction model for low frequency vibration from high speed railways on soft ground

A semi-empirical model for predicting low frequency vibration that may annoy building occupants in areas with soft ground conditions has been developed and used for the planning of a new high speed railway line in Norway. The model has a statistical formulation, and predicts both expected values and confidence limits for the vibration. The model is based on a large number of vibration measurements in Norway and Sweden. To manage the systematic and unified handling of the measured vibration data needed to develop the model, a database has been defined and established. It is hoped that more institutions could agree on using one common data structure and start data interchange. This would make more data available for continued improvements of empirical prediction models and for validation of numerical vibration simulation codes. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited