Dynamic Amplification of Railway Noise Barriers under Train-Induced Aerodynamic Loads: Field Measurements and Numerical Simulations

Railway noise barriers are widely used to mitigate train-induced noise, yet their structural safety under train-induced aerodynamic loads remains a critical concern. As train speed in-creases, not only does the amplitude of the aerodynamic pressure on barrier surfaces grow, but the associated dynamic effects of the structure are also significantly amplified. This study investigates the dynamic behavior of a vertical railway noise barrier based on field meas-urements and validated finite element (FE) simulations. Field tests, including impact ham-mer experiments and long-term monitoring, were conducted to identify the modal properties and dynamic responses of the structure. The first eigenfrequency was consistently identified within 5.3–5.5 Hz using both frequency response function (FRF) analysis and FFT-based free-decay analysis, demonstrating stable structural characteristics. The results show that, although inter-carriage aerodynamic pressures are relatively small, they can induce signifi-cant strain responses due to dynamic amplification and phase interaction. FE simulations were performed to quantify the dynamic amplification factor (DAF) under varying train speeds and structural locations. The results indicate that the DAF generally increases with train speed but tends to stabilize at higher speeds. Moreover, significant spatial variability is observed, with higher amplification occurring in transition regions near structural disconti-nuities. Comparisons with Eurocode-based predictions reveal that the code provides con-servative estimates overall but may underestimate local dynamic amplification. The findings provide insights for improving design approaches for railway noise barriers.