With the rapid development of high speed rail system, ground vibration mitigation solutions are desperately needed. As a novel vibration mitigation method, metamaterial can theoretically yield excellent performance in shielding dynamic waves in broad frequency bands. However, the application of metamaterials in railway-induced vibration mitigation is a very recent and ongoing topic. Therefore, the XeRo project aims to establish new and practical contribution towards a better understanding of the mitigation effects by metamaterials for railway-induced environmental vibrations. The experienced researcher (ER) will: 1) investigate the dominant frequencies of railway environment based on a 3D coupled train-track-soil interaction model; 2) design and develop the metamaterial based on the locally resonant mechanism; 3) characterize and optimize the metamaterial with respect to viscoelastic multi-layered soils; and 4) demonstrate the mitigation effect of the
metamaterial on railway environmental vibration.
Implemented at the University of Porto, and supervised by Prof Rui Calcada, the XeRo project will allow the ER to diversify her individual competence by developing skills in railway dynamics, academic dissemination and networking; student supervision; and research management and leadership. The XeRo project will also strongly benefit the ER’s inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary expertise and strengthen her international network considering a secondment will be carried out at the University of Birmingham.
A two-way transfer of knowledge is guaranteed since the XeRo project combines the ER’s expertise in metamaterial design and railway vibration evaluation and the host’s expertise in the numerical modelling and dynamic analysis of train-induced ground vibrations. Therefore, the XeRo project will contribute to Europe’s nowledge-based society, policy makers and rail industries by providing invaluable knowledge on the novel vibration mitigation solution in railways.
This project was terminated before starting.
The foreseen start date of this project was the 21st of February of 2022. However, as mentioned by Doctor Ting Li, due to COVID restrictions in China, she was not able to start the preparation of her VISA or recognition of degree. In July 2023, Doctor Ting Li informed the EC that she was preparing her visa. Considering the delay in the implementation of the action, the European Commission granted a last opportunity for the implementation of the project in September 2023, establishing that the project could not start after the 1st of January of 2024. The EC also informed that “The latest starting date for projects from the MSCA-IF 2020 call was 1 September 2022.” By this new start date, the fellow must have been present in Portugal, in possession of the VISA and with the diploma recognized. Unfortunately, it was not possible for the fellow to meet this deadline. The fellow received her visa and communicated this fact to the host institution on the 12th of January of 2024. The host institution requested twice a postponement of the deadline, but the EC did not accept the request as per the conditions established in the Formal Notification of 20-09-2023 we received. The EC informed that “no further extensions will be given by the REA”.
Following the instructions of the EC, we submitted the formal termination of the grant agreement.
