Objectives and Goals

The objective of RAIL-EQ is the development of a new, holistic methodology including a novel mathematical formulation for analysis of coupled train (moving mass) - railway bridge constrained dynamical systems and the seismic reliability (assessment of seismic performance) of the coupled systems, using co-simulation techniques. The methodology proposed can be easily applied (using the software developed) in order to assess the seismic performance of existing bridges for different levels of earthquake intensity, as part of a decision-making procedure. Therefore, the possibility of exploiting and upgrading the existing railway (or even roadway network) for high-speed trains can be easily assessed in the frame of a financial analysis of results and efficiency of railway infrastructure EU funding.

To meet the objectives described, the following features are developed in the frame of RAIL-EQ.

Detailed state-of-the-art review regarding bridge-train interaction and seismic fragility of railway bridges

Methodology and software for the analysis of the railway bridge-train coupled system using co-simulation techniques.

Methodology and software for fragility analysis of railway bridges.

Pilot study: Implementation of the methodology and software developed to selected railway bridges and railway networks.