Analysis of the vibration response of fully-enclosed noise barriers to wind loads induced by the 400 km/h high-speed train

Abstract

The fully enclosed noise barrier (FENB) faces structural safety challenges under 400 km/h train-induced wind loads. A one-way Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) numerical method combining Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and the Finite Element Method (FEM) is employed. Transient wind pressures from CFD model are mapped onto the FEM model to analyze the dynamic response, comparing the effects of different pressure relief hole areas. The results indicate that the piston effect is observed during train passage. Under the scenario without hole, positive and negative pressure peaks reach 2380 Pa and −4253 Pa, respectively. The pressure relief holes significantly reduce aerodynamic loads and vibration response. With hole areas of A and 3A, negative pressure peaks are attenuated by 51.0% and 68.7%, and the maximum stress at anchorage ends drops from 21.13 MPa to below 12.52 MPa. The first natural frequency of FENBs closely matches the 400 km/h train wind frequency. The dynamic amplification factor decreases as the relief hole area increases, but excessive pressure relief hole areas increase displacement and weaken overall stiffness. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the structural design and pressure relief measures of FENBs in high-speed railways.

Keywords

fully enclosed noise barriers / high-speed train / numerical simulation / 400 km/h train-induced wind loads / vibration response

References

[1] Latorre Iglesias E, Thompson D, Muñoz Paniagua J, et al. . On the feasibility of a component-based approach to predict aerodynamic noise from high-speed train bogies. Applied Acoustics, 2023, 211: 109536 J]

[2] Chung Y, Gu K, Jeon S, et al. . Influence of the Doppler effect and binaural characteristics on perceived annoyance of train pass-by noise. Applied Acoustics, 2023, 211: 109525 J]

[3] Zhu L, Ma J-l, Wu Y, et al. . Effects of acoustic environment on sleep and mental health in residential regions near railways. Applied Acoustics, 2025, 227: 110260 J]

[4] Li Q-t, Luo Y-y, Duhamel D, et al. . In-situ measurement of the acoustic performance of a nearly-enclosed barrier prototype on an existing line in the urban rail transit system. Applied Acoustics, 2022, 199: 109040 J]

[5] Qin X-c, Yang W-j, Zhang Z-j, et al. . Research on the design and noise reduction performance of periodic noise barriers based on nested structure. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2024, 476: 143708 J]

[6] Li X-z, Yang D-w, Gao W, et al. . Study on vibration and noise reduction of semi-or fully-enclosed noise barriers of high speed railways. Noise and Vibration Control, 2018, 38(S1): 8-13 [J]

[7] Zhang X, Liu R, Cao Z-y, et al. . Acoustic performance of a semi-closed noise barrier installed on a high-speed railway bridge: Measurement and analysis considering actual service conditions. Measurement, 2019, 138: 386-399 J]

[8] Jiang X-h, Yuan Y, Wu D, et al. . Investigation of comprehensive noise from steel-box composite girder bridge with fully enclosed sound barriers: Numerical analysis and test validation. Structures, 2025, 80: 110019 J]

[9] Zheng J, Li X-z, Zhang X-b, et al. . Structure-borne noise of fully enclosed sound barriers composed of engineered cementitious composites on high-speed railway bridges. Applied Acoustics, 2022, 192: 108705 J]

[10] Yang W-c, Ouyang D-h, Deng E, et al. . Aerodynamic characteristics of two noise barriers (fully enclosed and semi-enclosed) caused by a passing train: A comparative study. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 2022, 226: 105028 J]

[11] Yang Y, Li L, Yao G, et al. . Study on the influence of the fully enclosed barrier on the vortex-induced vibration performance of a long-span highway – railway double-deck truss bridge. Physics of Fluids, 2024, 36(8): 087132 J]

[12] Zhang R, Li H, Yang J-q, et al. . Study on the noise reduction effect of sound barriers on the aerodynamic noise of high-speed trains. Frontiers in Acoustics, 2025, 3: 1616806 J]

[13] Liu Y-k, Yang W-c, Deng E, et al. . Aerodynamic impacts of high-speed trains on city-oriented noise barriers: A moving model experiment. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 2023, 68: 343-364 J]

[14] Li X-z, Qiu X-w, Zheng J, et al. . Aerodynamic characteristics of fully enclosed sound barrier induced by the passing trains with 400 km/h. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 2023, 241: 105518 J]

[15] Ji X-y, He X-h, Jing H-q. Mitigation of the pressure fluctuation arising from high-speed train passing through the enclosed noise barrier using ventilation opening. Physics of Fluids, 2025, 37(6): 066125 J]

[16] Ji X-y, He X-h, Jing H-q. The impact of vents on pressure transients generated by two trains intersecting within an enclosed noise barrier. Journal of Central South University, 2026, 33(6): 2868-2885 [J]

[17] Liu Y-k, Yang W-c, Deng E, et al. . Aerodynamic characteristics of the train – SENB (semi-enclosed noise barrier) system: A high-speed model experiment and LES study. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 2023, 232: 105251 J]

[18] Cai C-z, Zhan Y-h, He X-h, et al. . Analysis of train-induced aerodynamic characteristics and pressure-relief measures relating to fully enclosed noise barriers installed on railway bridges. Physics of Fluids, 2024, 36(9): 096126 J]

[19] Ji X-y, He X-h, Jing H-q. Effects of a top opening on pressure transients caused by the high-speed train passing through the enclosed noise barrier. Physics of Fluids, 2025, 37(6): 066135 J]

[20] Ji X-y, He X-h, Jing H-q. Numerical simulation research on pressure relief scheme of enclosed noise barrier for high-speed railway. Journal of the China Railway Society, 2025, 47(2): 181-187 [J]

[21] Ai Zong-liang, Cai Chen-zhi, Zhan Yan-hui, et al. Effect of pressure relief hole parameters on mitigation performance of micro-pressure wave in fully enclosed noise barrier [J]. China Railway, 2024(11): 28–36. DOI:https://doi.org/10.19549/j.issn.1001-683x.2024.04.03.011.(in Chinese)

[22] Tokunaga M, Sogabe M, Santo T, et al. . Dynamic response evaluation of tall noise barrier on high speed railway structures. Journal of Sound and Vibration, 2016, 366: 293-308 J]

[23] Yang W-c, Ouyang D-h, Deng E, et al. . Deterioration of aerodynamic performance of a train driving through noise barriers under crosswinds. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 2022, 231: 105241 J]

[24] Zheng J, Li Q-l, Li X-z, et al. . Train-induced fluctuating pressure and resultant dynamic response of semienclosed sound barriers. Shock and Vibration, 2020, 2020: 6901564 J]

[25] Zheng J, Li X-z, Qiu X-w, et al. . Field study on train-induced aerodynamic pressure near the entrance of fully enclosed sound barriers. Vehicle System Dynamics, 2023, 61(5): 1277-1294 J]

[26] Wang Jin-sheng, Chen Ying-qing, Pan Jing-chong, et al. Research on the aerodynamic effect and structural dynamic response of fully enclosed sound barriers for high-speed railways [J]. China Railway, 2025(11): 160–166. DOI: https://doi.org/10.19549/j.issn.1001-683x.2024.12.10.007.(in Chinese)

[27] Wu X-p, He X-y, Huang J. Comparative analysis of dynamic responses of different types of high-speed railway noise barriers under the influence of fluctuating wind pressure. Sustainability, 2022, 14(19): 12900 J]

[28] Liang H-b, Zou Y-f, Guo D-y, et al. . Analysis of concrete damage at anchorage end of the high-speed railway bridge sound barrier under the 400 km/h train-induced wind loads. Structures, 2024, 69: 107284 J]

[29] Huo X-s, Liu T-h, Yu M, et al. . Impact of the trailing edge shape of a downstream dummy vehicle on train aerodynamics subjected to crosswind. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, 2021, 235(2): 201-214 J]

[30] Adamu A, Zhang J, Gidado F, et al. . An investigation of influence of windshield configuration and train length on high-speed train aerodynamic performance. Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics, 2023, 16(2): 337-352 J]

[31] Yang W-c, Deng E, He X-h, et al. . Influence of wind barrier on the transient aerodynamic performance of highspeed trains under crosswinds at tunnel – bridge sections. Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics, 2021, 15(1): 727-746 J]

[32] Dai Z-y, Li T, Zhang W-h, et al. . Investigation on aerodynamic characteristics of high-speed trains with shields beneath bogies. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 2024, 246: 105666 J]

[33] Deng E, Yang W-c, He X-h, et al. . Aerodynamic effects of high-speed trains when passing through tunnelbridge-tunnel. Journal of Hunan University (Natural Sciences), 2021, 48(5): 93-102 [J]

[34] Fang F-y, Liu T-h, Xia Y-t, et al. . Aerodynamic effects of trains circulating through a bifurcated tunnel. Journal of Central South University, 2024, 31(3): 1017-1031 J]

[35] He H, Diao L-y, Yang W-c, et al. . Abrupt changing aerodynamic loads resulting in diminished ride comfort when two high-speed trains intersect in a tunnel. Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, 2025, 156: 106232 J]

[36] Xiong X-h, Yang B, Wang K-w, et al. . Full-scale experiment of transient aerodynamic pressures acting on a bridge noise barrier induced by the passage of high-speed trains operating at 380 – 420 km/h. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 2020, 204: 104298 J]

[37] GB/T 51335-2018. Technical standard for noise barrier structures, 2018 [S]

[38] Wang N-b, Zhou Y, Zhou De. A calculation method for moving vehicle induced bridge dynamic amplification factor based on influence line. Journal of Central South University (Science and Technology), 2020, 51(7): 1853-1861 [J]

[39] Li X-z, Zhang X-b, Zheng J, et al. . Wind-induced vibration of 400 km/h trains with vertical sound barrier on highspeed railway bridge. Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University, 2024, 59(6): 1415-1422 [J]

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Central South University

Just Accepted

This article has successfully passed peer review and final editorial review, and will soon enter typesetting, proofreading and other publishing processes. The currently displayed version is the accepted final manuscript. The officially published version will be updated with format, DOI and citation information upon launch. We recommend that you pay attention to subsequent journal notifications and preferentially cite the officially published version. Thank you for your support and cooperation.