Numerical Analysis and Safety Assessment of Dynamic Response of Natural Gas Pipelines Under Vibration Loads from High-Speed Railway Tunnels
Source abstract
Abstract
With the rapid expansion of high-speed railway (HSR) networks, the vibration impact on adjacent energy infrastructure has become a critical safety concern. However, existing research lacks a comprehensive evaluation of buried sour gas pipelines specifically in tunnel-undercrossing scenarios. This research investigates the dynamic response characteristics of a sour natural gas pipeline under train-induced vibration loads using a case study in Chongqing. A three-dimensional dynamic coupling model of the track lining soil pipeline system was established based on FLAC-3D. The study innovatively quantifies the vibration superposition effect during bidirectional train encounters and assesses safety using fatigue life and velocity thresholds. Results indicate that pipeline vibration is predominantly vertical. As train speed increases from 250 km/h to 350 km/h, the response exhibits a non-linear rapid growth within the 300–350 km/h range. Under bidirectional encounters, the peak displacement reaches 2.00 times that of unilateral passage, representing the most critical load condition. The maximum peak vibration velocity is 0.1 mm/s, far below the 2 mm/s safety threshold, ensuring structural integrity under current operational standards.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Railway Engineering and Dynamics · Geotechnical Engineering and Underground Structures · Civil and Geotechnical Engineering Research
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
School of Safety Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331, China
Chongqing Safety Science and Technology Research Co., Ltd., Chongqing 401331, China
Funding
National Natural Science Foundation of China · Major Project of Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Education Commission of China · Chongqing Natural Science Foundation · National Engineering and Technology Research Center for Development & Utilization of Phosphate Resources
References (28)
Show source-provided references
1. Editorial Office of Railway Technical Supervision (2024). China’s High-Speed Rail Operating Mileage Has Reached 45,000 km, Railway Technical Supervision. (In Chinese).
2. Dong, H., Li, X., Wang, W., and An, M. (2025). Discrete Element Method Simulation of Loess Tunnel Erosion. Water, 17.10.3390/w17071020 ↗
3. Zhang, M., Meng, W., Zhang, X., Tang, G., Sun, C., Zhang, X., Liu, J., and Li, X. (2025). Research on Construction Control Measures for Enclosed Karst Tunnels. Water, 17.10.3390/w17030389 ↗
4. Wei, K.R. (2015). Research on Risk Assessment Technology for Gathering Stations in High-Sulfur Gas Fields. [Master’s Thesis, Southwest Petroleum University].
5. Liang, B.L. (2020). Vibration Characteristics and Dynamic Response Analysis of Urban Natural Gas Pipelines. [Master’s Thesis, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology].
6. Structure-bome sound and vibration from railtraffic10.1006/jsvi.1996.0257 ↗
7. Ground-bome noise and vibration from underground rail systems10.1016/0022-460X(79)90853-8 ↗
8. The calculation and assessment of ground-bome noise and perceptible vibration from trains in tunnels10.1006/jsvi.1996.0261 ↗
9. The effect of track and vehicle parameters on wheel/rail vertical dynamic forces
10. An investigation into the dynamic effects on the track of wheel flats on railway vehicles10.1243/JMES_JOUR_1979_021_046_02 ↗
11. Sat, Y. (1973). Abnormal Wheel Load of Test Train, Permanent Way.
12. Ahlbeck, D.R., Mecham, H.C., and Prause, R.H. (1978). The development of analytical models for railroad track dynamics. Railr. Track Mech. Technol., 239–263.10.1016/B978-0-08-021923-3.50017-6 ↗
13. Finite Element Analysis of Wheel-Rail Contact Stress
14. Ground Vibration Induced by Subway Trains
15. Zhai, W.M. (2014). Vehicle-Track Coupling Dynamics, Science Press. [5th ed.].
16. Numerical Analysis of Local Vibration Amplification Phenomena Induced by Subway Operation
17. Influence of Vibration from Underground Section of Intercity Railway on Buried Gas Pipeline Above
18. Vertical Wheel-Rail Dynamic Interaction and Its Dynamic Response
19. Calculation of Vertical Wheel-Rail Force When Vehicles Pass Through Track Joints
20. Random Vibration Theory of Track Structure and Its Application in Vibration Reduction Research
21. Discussion on the Environmental Impact of Beijing Subway Train Vibration
22. Vibration Testing and Analysis of Subway Tunnel Trains
23. Monitoring and Analysis of Vibration Influence of Train Operation on Underground Pipelines
24. Dynamic Modeling Method and Implementation of Three-Dimensional Rigid-Flexible Coupling for Train and Subway Tunnel
25. Mechanical model for seismic response assessment of lightly reinforced concrete walls10.12989/eas.2016.11.3.461 ↗
26. Zhang, Y. (2006). Research on Measurement and Propagation Law of Subway Environmental Vibration. [Master’s Thesis, Beijing University of Technology].
27. Li, W.P. (2011). Numerical Simulation of Aerodynamics for High-Speed EMU Tunnel Crossing. [Master’s Thesis, Dalian Jiaotong University].
28. (2020). National Technical Committee on Earthquake Standardization (SAC/TC 225). The Chinese Seismic Intensity Scale (Standard No. GB/T 17742-2020).