Effects of the embankment topography and track curvature on ground vibration boom from high-speed trains

The present paper investigates the effects of the embankment topography and track curvature on ground vibrations generated by high speed trains travelling faster than Rayleigh waves in the supporting ground. It is shown that the presence of the embankment can result in waveguide propagation of generated ground vibrations at certain range of train speeds. The presence of a track curvature (to provide the possibility of changing direction of train movement) can result in focusing of generated Rayleigh waves along the caustic line which is associated with the increase in amplitudes of generated ground vibrations