SIMPLE METHOD TO PREDICT OUTLINE OF SEISMIC DAMAGES OF RAILWAY STRUCTURES AND RUNNING VEHICLES

Abstract

  In order to ensure the seismic safety of railway system, it is important to consider the following points. First, we have to investigate the safety of the railway structures such as bridges, viaducts, embankments and so on, which spread extensively. Second, we should consider not only the safety of structures but also the vehicle running safety. In this study, we have developed the methodology to predict the seismic damage of railway structures and the seismic running safety of the railway vehicle using only four parameters, which are peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, yield strength, and equivalent natural period. We have proved the efficiency of the newly developed method by simulating the structural damages and derailment of Shinkansen-train in the 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu earthquake and the 2004 Niigataken-Tuetu earthquake.