Influence of rubber pads on vibration levels and structural behavior of subway tunnels

The principal aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of rubber pad systems on levels of vibrations and values of stresses and deformations induced in the subway tunnel segments. Thus, the 3D model has been selected to be isotropically simulated in the ANSYS program to conduct a finite element analysis. Therefore, the proposed track system in the tunnel of line 4 of the Greater Cairo Metro has been selected as an analytical and simulation case study. The impact of using eight different values for the stiffness of the rubber pad system in the case of a single tunnel has been analyzed. The results showed that levels of vibrations are significantly affected and are in logarithmic correlation with the stiffness. Also, the impact of the stiffness on the deformations and stresses are determined as well as mathematical models connecting the different parameters have been introduced.