Dynamic characterization and field validation of a sealed-air rail vibration suppression device

The wheel-rail vibration problem has long been a major challenge to the high-quality development of rail transit systems. The research team proposed a novel sealed-air rail vibration suppression device (SARVSD), aiming to provide an efficient approach for mitigating rail vibration. In this study, the mechanical characteristics and vibration suppression performance of the device were systematically evaluated through finite element analysis and dynamic simulations, and its effectiveness under actual operating conditions was further verified by field tests. The results indicate that, compared with the conventional stiffness-damping intervention vibration suppression device (SDIRVRD), the SARVSD exhibits stronger vibration suppression capability, enhanced vibration attenuation performance particularly in the medium- and high-frequency range above 315 Hz, a wider effective frequency band, and a more uniform stress distribution. The sealed-air structural design not only improves the stress distribution within the elastic layer but also significantly enhances the damping performance. Under actual operating conditions, the device reduces rail acceleration by an average of 49.08%, with a maximum vibration reduction of 6.8 dB. These results indicate that the SARVSD offers an effective and practical approach for mitigating rail vibration.