In this paper a cross-shaped isolator consisting of cuboidal magnets and a cylindrical isolator are compared by resonance frequency to volume ratio and shape. Both isolators are capable of obtaining a low resonance frequency, i.e. 0.15 Hz and 0.01 Hz for the cross and cylinder, respectively. The volume of both isolators is comparable, only the shape is different, resulting in a tall structure with a small footprint for the cross and a flat with a large diameter cylindrical structure. A sensitivity analysis shows that due to the large amount of magnets, the cross-shaped isolator is less sensitive to manufacturing tolerances.

The problem of transmitting vibrations with audible frequencies by steel springs, constituting the vibration isolation system was considered in this paper. The analytical relationships allowing determining the value of the transmissibility for the springs resonance frequencies responsible for the transmissibility of high frequency vibrations have been derived and checked by means of FEM method. Also the occurrence of the increasing stresses in the springs in the areas between the resonances has been shown. The typical system, i.e. the serial system with rubber cushion, has been analyzed, reducing the transmission of high frequency vibrations by the spring. It has been shown that the transmission is reduced not as a result of differences in the wave impedance of the boundary of both media but due to the increased dispersion of energy in the rubber, and the analytical relationships allowing the evaluation of the effectiveness of this method have been derived.

The technical requirements for the determination of physical parameters of vibration isolating material have not been standardized in Europe and Poland yet, which significantly hinders the ability to compare vibration isolating materials offered on the market. Therefore, there is a need for establishing a norm that could be applied both for the determination of the physico-mechanical properties of elastic vibration isolation elements in rail transport for domestic and foreign producers as well as in their selection for application in a specific vibration isolation system. The paper presents a proposal to standardize the methodology of the estimation of vibration isolation materials physical parameters authorized for use in vibration isolation systems used in rail transport. Methodology for measuring the physico-mechanical parameters of vibration isolating material presented in the paper forms uniform test procedure developed based on a fragmentary norms for flexible materials testing. The use of the proposed research methodology enables the creation of a unified database of elastic materials which parameters will be easy to compare, and choice between them will become easier for designers of vibration isolation systems used in rail transport.

This study focuses on experimental ageing tests with high temperatures carried out on prototype under ballast mats (UBMs) according to the procedure of the European standard EN 17282, which was introduced in late 2020. Most of the analysed UBM samples are based on recycled elastomeric materials, such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) granules and fibres from end-of-life car tyres and rebond polyurethane waste from polyurethane product manufacturing plants. Additionally, two variations of the mat based on mineral wool are analysed. Significant differences in the values of static and dynamic characteristics measured before and after the ageing tests are demonstrated, and permanent deformations of the recycled polyurethane-based mats are shown. Moreover, it is proved that the elastomeric mats based on recycled rubber materials (SBR granules and fibres) have high durability and are an effective solution in terms of protection against vibration and structure-borne noise from railway traffic. In addition, the authors propose criteria for assessing the results of the ageing test with high temperatures of UBMs tested according to the procedure of EN 17282.