Floating slab track integrated with quasi-zero stiffness mechanism and dynamic vibration absorber for suppressing low-frequency vibration

Vibration amplification at the natural frequency of floating slab track (FST) remains a significant concern. This study integrates quasi-zero stiffness mechanisms combined with dynamic vibration absorbers (QZSDVA) into FST, resulting in a novel formulation of vibration reduction track (QZSDVA-based FST) to effectively suppress low-frequency track vibrations. The analytical expression for the dynamic response of the two-degree-of-freedom QZSDVA system is derived and subsequently validated through numerical approaches. Building on this, a vehicle-QZSDVA-based FST dynamic model is established and optimal parameters for DVA are identified guided by H∞ optimisation. Further exploration highlights the capability of QZSDVA-based FST in significantly suppressing track vibrations and reducing the support force of the structure, without compromising running safety of subway train. Results emphasise that optimally tuned parameters enable QZSDVA-based FST to reduce low-frequency vibrations effectively, even with a minimal DVA mass. In comparison to alternative vibration reduction tracks, the proposed QZSDVA-based FST outperforms in suppressing low-frequency vibrations within the range of 6.3–16 Hz. This research offers an innovative solution to mitigate environmental vibrations induced by urban rail transit.