Mitigating high-speed train vibrations with EPS blocks for various soil conditions

Ground-borne vibrations due to high-speed trains passage strongly depend, apart from the speed of the train, on the geometry of the railways as well as the properties of the underlying soil layer(s). The main aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks in mitigating soil vibrations induced on railway embankments for different subsoil and railway embankment material conditions. The EPS blocks are placed in suitable locations, either as embankment's side fill material, or trench filling material, or combination of the above. An efficient three-dimensional numerical model has been developed -in conjunction with a user-developed subroutine for applying the moving loads-to accurately calculate the dynamic response of the coupled embankment-soil model. Four typical soil types - categorized as rock, dense sand with gravels, stiff and soft clay - are investigated. In addition, the mechanical properties of the embankment material have been altered to assess to what extend they can affect the HST vibrations. •Expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks for mitigating HST vibrations.•Optimal mitigation approach: EPS blocks at the slopes and an EPS-filled trench.•Underlying soil conditions and embankment material influence HST vibrations.•EPS-based mitigation measures are very effective for soft soil conditions.•Embankment acts as a wave “trap” for soft fill material and firm underlying soil.