Structural fatigue behaviour of railway noise barriers under differing installation scenarios

Noise barriers along high-speed railway lines are exposed to aerodynamic loads generated by passing trains, leading to fluctuating stress states in their structural connections. These repeated stresses can cause fatigue damage in the bolted mounting systems that connect barrier posts to concrete edge beams, potentially compromising long-term structural integrity and safety. However, the influence of varying installation conditions and bolt preload levels on fatigue performance remains insufficiently understood. This study aims to systematically investigate the effect of installation variations and bolt preload on the fatigue-relevant stress ranges in bolted joints of different railway noise barrier designs. The goal is to support improved structural health assessments, maintenance planning, and the development of optimised mounting details. The methodology is based on finite element simulations of representative noise barrier connections under different bolt preload scenarios and realistic installation imperfections. The simulations consider load conditions derived from aerodynamic pressure-suction cycles typical of high-speed train passages. Preliminary results suggest that insufficient bolt preload and common installation deviations significantly increase local stress ranges, accelerating fatigue damage in critical areas. The findings highlight the necessity of strict quality control during installation and the potential for enhancing durability through improved connection design.