Vibration induced by rail traffic: evaluation of attenuation properties in a bituminous sub-ballast layer

The attenuation properties of a Hot-Mix Asphalt track bed containing crumb rubber (particle size 2-5 mm) are evaluated. A large number of vibration measurements have been carried out in a test section of a railway interconnection (Turin-Milan HS Railway) where two solutions of 12 cm of sub-ballast layer have been realized (with and without rubber). The vibrations were measured using a set of piezoelectric accelerometers positioned at various distances from the track to measure their generation and propagation. The results show that the new hot mix asphalt layer can influence the train vibration transmission. (C) 2012 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of SIIV2012 Scientific Committee