Dissipation mechanism and spatial vibration behavior of floating slab track with particle damping phononic crystal isolator under falling wheel impacts

The urban high-speed rail transit system generates excessive environmental vibrations, causing discomfort and damage to contact elements. This study introduces a novel non-obstructive particle damping phononic crystal vibration isolator (NOPD-PCVI) for a floating slab track system. A full-scale falling wheel impact test compared the vibration reduction performance of the NOPD-PCVI to that of a traditional steel spring vibration isolator (SSVI), with accelerometers and strain gauges capturing vibration responses. Numerical simulations and experiments revealed that the NOPD-PCVI was most effective within a 50–160 Hz bandgap, reducing vertical base slab acceleration by 19.7 dB for a 10 mm drop height and 22 dB for a 20 mm drop height. Structural intensity analysis further confirmed the NOPD-PCVI’s efficiency in limiting vibration energy transfer. This study offers a viable solution for track vibration reduction, supporting the sustainable development of high-speed urban rail systems.