Experimental Evaluation of Vibration Damping Performance in Floating and Standard Rail Fastening Systems Using Impact Hammer Testing

Railway fastening systems play an important role in reducing vibrations and noise, which are major issues in modern train infrastructure. This paper gives an experimental evaluation of the vibration-damping performance of floating and standard rail fasteners using drop hammer impact testing. It highlights the recommended measurement parameters as per the international standards, including BS EN 13146-3:2012 Railway applications -Track -Test methods for fastening systems (Part 3: Determination of attenuation of Impact loads). To replicate dynamic loading circumstances, a 50 kg mass was dropped from heights ranging from 50 mm to 150 mm, and vertical acceleration was measured at rail, sleeper, and ground levels using a frequency range of 1-200 Hz. The findings show that the floating rail fastener (FRF) greatly lowers ground vibrations when compared to the standard rail fastener (SRF), with damping effects ranging from 0.47 dB at 75 cm to 1.53 dB at 150 mm. The floating fastener significantly reduces vibrations transmitted to the sleeper and ground by exhibiting increased energy absorption at the rail at higher frequencies (over 16 Hz). On the other hand, the rigid design of the typical fastener causes more ground vibrations, especially at lower frequencies (1–12.5 Hz). These results demonstrate how well the floating fastener reduces environmental vibrations, which makes it a great option for cities and noisy places. For heavy-duty applications, however, the trade-off between structural stability and vibration reduction must be taken into account. This paper offers useful recommendations for improving railway infrastructure design and minimizing environmental effects by presenting empirical insights into the dynamic behavior of rail.