PDEM-based stochastic analysis of a train-track-bridge system using dimension-reduced simulations of turbulent winds and track irregularities

Winds and track irregularities are inherently random in nature, but most of previous work did not fully consider this randomicity in computation of the dynamic response of train-track-bridge system. This study aims to develop an effective framework for stochastic analysis of the wind-train-track-bridge system based on the probability density evolution method. A dimension-reduced simulation scheme is applied since the involved system has high-dimensional random variables. Therefore, the representative samples of turbulent winds and track irregularities can be well expressed with only two random variables. In numerical examples, the accuracy of the framework is verified, and the influences of the mean wind velocity on the random vibration characteristics of the system are investigated. The results show that the dispersion of the lateral displacement of the bridge is larger than the vertical displacement, but both the vertical and lateral accelerations of the bridge have larger dispersions. The existence of lateral wind loads can reduce the dispersion of the lateral wheel–rail interaction forces of the wheel in the leeward direction. Considering the confidence levels of 75%, 85% and 95%, the train can run safely over the bridge in the wind velocity range of 0–25 m/s.