This dissertation aimed to devise predictive tools for analyzing various support structuresof a high-speed rail (HSR) system to support their design under operational and seismic
loads. The detailed objectives are (i) to implement a vehicle-bridge-interaction (VBI)
method for analyzing coupled train-track coupled dynamics, (ii) to develop a finite ele-
ment (FE) approach for analyzing the interaction of a local domain with a moving load
(as the load enters, traverses, and leaves the local domain) based on the application of
Perfectly-Matched-Layers (PMLs) and the Domain Reduction Method (DRM), and (iii)
to carry out various application studies that explore the interaction of moving loads with
flexible or buried structures using the tools developed to verify them and to demonstrate
their utility.
The methods described above are implemented in commercial finite element analysis
software ABAQUS through a combination of MATLAB codes and ABAQUS’ user-defined
element (UEL) subroutine interface. These implementations were carried out to enhance
the potential impact of the analysis tools developed as part of this dissertation and
broaden their applicability. The computational efficiency afforded by the developed tools
obviates the need to carry out simulations with large finite element domains (through
the use of PML+DRM and proper injection of boundary conditions emanating from far-
field (inbound vehicle and/or seismic) loads at the truncated domain boundaries) and to
develop explicit multi-degree-of-freedom dynamic models of the considered vehicles.