More than 50 experts from 11 countries participated in the Mid-Term Event, held online on March 18 and 19. The meeting also served as the project’s third Regular Technical Meeting and was joined by project members and external experts.

The meeting kicked off with an introduction by the Project Coordinator, Pedro Montenegro, which was followed by a presentation of WP1. In it, HUD presented the rolling stock database and dynamic simulations, while UPV discussed spectral methods. UPM introduced advances in dynamic train categories (DTC), and DB InfraGO showed improvements in defining the limits of validity of static compatibility checks. A discussion of results and commentary followed, with a particular interest in the applicability of the DTCs.

After a short break, UJI reported on the status of WP2, presenting a bridge database and its main statistics. The analysis workload of this WP is shared with UdS and UPM. The results revealed bridges that fail to comply with the criteria. In the discussion, commentaries were made about using the acceleration criteria and regarding the effects of soil-structure interaction.

In the afternoon, KTH introduced the advances in calculating dynamic factors in WP3. Experts discussed the connections with the bridge frequency limits and the possibility of including the effects of wheel defects.

The first day concluded with the presentation of WP4, in which UPORTO and AVLS shared benchmarks on two different methods to estimate bridge damping. The results allow for new normative recommendations for portal frames, prestressed concrete, and composite bridges. The influence of train type was brought up in the discussion part, as well as the behaviour of steel components in composite bridges.

The second day began with the WP5 presentation, where BAM shared the results of its test rig experiments, KTH presented the most recent Discrete Element Method models, and UPORTO showed the final results of the simulations for the ballastless track acceleration limit, along with a safety factor assessment of ballasted tracks. The participants discussed additional comfort criteria and the possibility of recommending removing or reassessing the limits on the Eurocode.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for September and will be held in-person in Madrid.

Images by Europe’s Rail and InBridge4EU.