Railway Vibration Isolation for Track, Tunnels & Buildings
Resilient bearings against ground-borne vibration and structure-borne noise – for track, tramways, tunnels and buildings next to transport routes.
✓ Engineered selection
based on your machine data
✓ Cut to size
mats, strips, pads & multi-layer systems
✓ Fast quotes
short-notice production & express possible
✓ Industry & research
we also supply leading universities & institutes
What natural frequency does your mounting need? → Try the free vibration isolation calculator
When the train makes the building vibrate
Rail traffic generates vibration that spreads through the track and the ground into neighbouring structures. There it is perceived as feelable vibration or as low-frequency ground-borne (re-radiated) noise – a typical problem in city centres, along tram routes and in buildings right next to railway lines. At the same time, vibration puts stress on the track, vehicles and components.
Reduce ground-borne vibration
Resilient interlayers in the track or under buildings reduce the transmission of vibration into the surroundings.
Protect structures
Isolated structures are subjected to lower dynamic loads – this protects the track, tunnels and adjacent buildings.
More ride comfort
In vehicles, elastomer bearings ensure smoother running and lower operating noise.
Typical applications
Typical applications in railways and transport:
- Track beds of main-line railways, metros and tramways
- Railway tunnels and stations
- Buildings right next to railway lines and tram routes (resilient building isolation)
- Locomotives, multiple units, metros and trams
- Traction transformers and substations
- Fire-retardant acoustic mats for construction work in tunnels and stations
Our solution: low-tuned resilient bearings
The lower the natural frequency of the bearing, the better the low frequencies of rail traffic are isolated too. We combine material, thickness and load class so that vibration protection and load capacity go together.
- PUR elastomers with natural frequencies down to approx. 8 – 10 Hz
- PUR-bonded rubber granulate and fibre mats for track and under ballast mats
- Multi-layer build-ups for particularly low tuning
- Fire-retardant versions on request
Recommended systems & technical data
Rail applications require a combination of high load capacity and low tuning. The selection depends on axle load, track form and the frequencies to be isolated.
| Recommended system | Load range (static continuous load) | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| PUR elastomer, medium to heavy | 0.11 – 0.85 N/mm² | Resilient building isolation next to railway lines, tunnels – natural frequencies down to approx. 8 Hz |
| Rubber granulate/fibre mat, class G6 – G8 | 0.30 – 1.50 N/mm² | Track, under ballast and sub-ballast mats |
| Elastomer bearings (NR, CR, EPDM) | as designed | Rail vehicles, power units, substations |
- Consider vibration protection early in the design – retrofitting is costly
- Consistently isolate flanking routes and penetrations to avoid acoustic bridges
- Clarify fire safety requirements for tunnels and stations beforehand
→ All load classes: Materials & technical data · Check your own values: Isolation calculator · Specification texts & datasheet (PDF, German)
Relevant datasheets (PDF, German): PUR elastomers
Worked example: building isolation next to a railway line
How does a low-tuned bearing affect typical railway vibration? The following simplified example shows the order of magnitude for a strip bearing under the load-bearing wall of a building right next to a railway line.
- Wall load: 25.5 t per linear metre (≈ 250 kN/m)
- Bearing width: 500 mm, i.e. 500,000 mm² bearing area per metre
- Bearing pressure: 25,500 kg × 9.81 / 500,000 mm² ≈ 0.50 N/mm² – within the load range “PUR elastomer, medium to heavy” (0.11 – 0.85 N/mm²) from the table above
- Assumed natural frequency of the bearing: 10 Hz (cautious approach) or 8 Hz (low tuning)
- Governing vibration frequencies: 30, 50 and 80 Hz
The calculation uses the model of an undamped single-degree-of-freedom system: frequency ratio η = excitation frequency / natural frequency, transmissibility T = 1 / (η² − 1), isolation efficiency = 1 − T, level reduction = 20 · log10(1/T) dB.
| Vibration frequency | Bearing with f₀ = 10 Hz | Bearing with f₀ = 8 Hz |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Hz | η = 3.0 → 87.5 % (≈ 18 dB) | η ≈ 3.8 → ≈ 92 % (≈ 22 dB) |
| 50 Hz | η = 5.0 → ≈ 96 % (≈ 28 dB) | η ≈ 6.3 → ≈ 97 % (≈ 32 dB) |
| 80 Hz | η = 8.0 → ≈ 98 % (≈ 36 dB) | η = 10 → ≈ 99 % (≈ 40 dB) |
What the example shows: in the range from 30 to 80 Hz, a low-tuned PUR bearing theoretically achieves high isolation efficiencies. Components below approx. 14 Hz (at f₀ = 10 Hz) or 11 Hz (at f₀ = 8 Hz), on the other hand, are not isolated and are even amplified around the natural frequency (η < √2). If low-frequency components are governing, even lower tuning or a mass-spring system is needed. The simple model does not represent building and floor resonances, damping or acoustic bridges – the vibration prediction is usually prepared by a specialist consultant.
Simplified example, guide values only – the binding design is always project-specific. Check your own values with the isolation calculator. You can request a material sample via the quick quote form.
How your project works
1. Enquiry
Tell us about your machine or plant, its weight, footprint and speed – the easiest way is via our configurator.
2. Design
We select material, hardness, thickness and format to suit the load and frequency and agree the solution with you.
3. Manufacture
Your anti-vibration mats or pads are cut to size – as a mat, strips, pads or a multi-layer system.
4. Delivery
You receive ready-to-install elements that can be fitted under machines and foundations with little effort. Made and shipped from Germany – EU-wide delivery; UK delivery DAP/DDP on request (customs handled).
Frequently asked questions
What is ground-borne (re-radiated) noise?
Vibration from the ground makes walls and floors vibrate. These radiate sound into the room as a low-frequency rumble – even when no direct airborne noise from the railway can be heard.
Can an existing building be protected retrospectively?
Resilient building isolation is usually planned in at the new-build stage. In existing buildings, measures on the track or on individual building elements are possible – we will be happy to advise you.
Do you also offer noise control for construction sites in the track area?
Yes, we also supply fire-retardant acoustic mats, for example for construction work in tunnels or stations.
Which fire safety requirements apply in rail vehicles (EN 45545-2)?
For materials in rail vehicles, EN 45545-2 specifies requirements for fire behaviour. Which requirements apply in a particular case depends, among other things, on the installation location in the vehicle and on the operation and design category of the vehicle. Whether a material meets them depends on the product type – you will receive the evidence with the quote. Please tell us the required classification from your specification; our Standards & guidelines page gives an overview.
What is the difference between an under ballast mat and a mass-spring system?
An under ballast mat is laid under the ballast bed and makes the track more resilient; it reduces vibration mainly in the medium and higher frequency range and also protects the ballast (EN 17282 deals with under ballast mats). In a mass-spring system, a heavy concrete track slab including the track is resiliently supported over its full area, on strips or at discrete points. The large vibrating mass allows much lower tuning and therefore more effect at low frequencies – with correspondingly greater construction effort.
Which frequencies are governing for railway vibration?
That depends on the vehicle, track, speed, ground and structure. For tunnel sections, the governing components are often in the range of approx. 30 to 80 Hz, for surface lines sometimes lower. Only a measurement or prediction at the site provides reliable values. The natural frequency of the bearing must be well below the lowest governing frequency – see the worked example above.
Can power units and underfloor equipment in vehicles also be resiliently mounted?
Yes. For rail vehicles, power units and substations, we design elastomer bearings in NR, CR or EPDM based on your data. For this we need the mass and centre of gravity, the number and position of the fixing points, the excitation frequencies and the available installation space. We clarify fire safety requirements to EN 45545-2 for each product type in the quote.
What information do you need for building isolation next to railway lines?
It helps to have the loads (wall and column loads or the bearing pressure), the planned bearing type (full-surface, strip or point bearings), the distance from the line and – if available – measurements, predictions or requirements from the vibration report, for example for assessment to BS 6472-1 in the UK or DIN 4150-2 in Germany. The quick quote form is enough to get started; documents can be added later.
Vibration from rail traffic?
Describe your project to us – we will help you select the right resilient bearing.
🗣️ We can advise you in English, German and French – our team includes English- and French-speaking staff.
Short on time? The quick quote is enough to get started. Prefer more detail? Use our quote configurator or contact us directly.
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