Development of a two-level seismic performance indicator for a high-speed railway vehicle-track-tunnel system

The ongoing expansion of high-speed railway systems in seismically active regions necessitates improved methods for evaluating the seismic resilience of the railway infrastructure. This study aimed to develop and establish a seismic performance indicator for coupled vehicle–track–tunnel systems to facilitate the assessment of safety under earthquake conditions. A refined finite element model was created, capturing the intricate dynamical interactions between a high-speed train, the track, and the tunnel, with a particular focus on the heterogeneity of the soil stratum. The model, synthesized through a joint simulation using HyperMesh and ABAQUS, was validated with theoretical solutions and experimental data, enhancing its predictive reliability of the system’s seismic response. The research resulted in the innovation of a two-level seismic performance indicator, offering a quantitative tool for evaluating the integrity and safety of a high-speed railway tunnel during seismic events. Although the performance indicator has shown promise in initial validations, it is emphasized that continued verification and refinement are paramount for ensuring its adaptability across various seismic scenarios. The contribution of this research lies in providing a novel, rigorous approach for the seismic design evaluation, which is critical for advancing the safety standards of high-speed railway infrastructures.