GERB Vibration Control Systems

GERB Schwingungsisolierungen (Vibration Control Systems) designs and produces vibration isolation and noise control systems.

Vibration control systems

GERB’s involvement in trackbed isolation and the design of its floating trackbed systems was the logical result of earlier activities in other areas of vibration control. The company’s systems consist of helical steel springs and VISCODAMPERS® if required.

Over the last century, GERB has developed, influenced or accompanied all major new applications in vibration control, including the elastic support of some of the largest steam turbines in the world.

Machinery and equipment, including earthquake-shaking tables, rocket test stands and even entire buildings, are today supported on GERB elastic support systems.

GERB specialises in vibration isolation systems.

EBS elements are the most cost-effective solution to spring-supported systems.

KY elements with high-load capacity.

GSI elements are fully integrated spring elements.

GERB’s systems are implemented in railway and subway networks worldwide.

GERB provides engineering services such as vibration measurements and installation and inspection supervision.

GERB floating slab track (FST) systems

GERB floating slab track systems are successfully installed in tunnels, above ground and on elevated rail tracks. Different types of springs and spring elements are available to meet the requirements set by the site conditions and by the type of train.

The spring-supported GERB system consists of either a simple concrete slab with direct rail fixing or a trough-type cross-section with a ballast bed and spring elements embedded in the slab or placed in recesses below or along the outside of the trackbed.

EBS elements are installed similar to elastomeric bearings through centred openings in recesses located below the rail. They offer all the advantages of the spring-supported systems for a cost-effective price.

KY elements are used where there is side access to lateral recesses. The spacing of these elements is about 3m to 5m. This element type provides a greater load capacity due to the greater number of spring sets inside the housing.

GSI elements are fully integrated inside the slab and consist of a cylindrical housing and a spring unit. They are preferably installed in floating slab tracks in tunnels with narrow conditions. The integrated jacking system enables a cost-effective construction of the slab direct on the invert. Expensive or time wasting formwork or epoxy up-stands are not required. The permanent access from above enables adjustments of the floating slab track system without interrupting the train operation.

Advantages of GERB’s FST systems

Incorporating GERB floating slab track systems has numerous advantages, including:

• Flexibility to different applications
• Highest insertion loss at reasonable prices and substantial cost savings in construction, installation and maintenance
• Simple slab construction that does not require bottom formwork
• Spring elements generally do not require maintenance, are fatigue proof and designed for high longevity
• Steel spring systems provide the highest attenuation levels (35dB-40dB)

Railway engineering services

In addition to floating slab track systems, GERB also provides a range of services for the railway industry, including:

• Design and manufacture of vibration control systems
• Design of spring-supported structures, including static and dynamic analysis
• Preparation of site drawings
• Supervision of system installations and inspection
• Vibration measurements

Past installations

GERB has installed more than 280km of its FST systems in metro and railway networks worldwide, such as:

• Tram lines in Stuttgart, Bochum, Heidelberg (Germany) and Basle (Switzerland)
• Heavy rail tracks in Sao Paolo and Brazilia (Brazil) and Puchon (Korea)
• High speed track (TGV) in Chonan (Korea)
• Light rail track in London (UK), Berlin (Germany) and Santa Monica, Los Angeles (US)
• Passenger-transfer-system at Frankfurt International Airport (Germany)
• Metro lines in Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Suzhou and Hangzhou (China)

About GERB

Established in 1908, GERB Vibration Control Systems has its headquarters and its main manufacturing facilities, together with its R&D division, in Berlin, Germany.

GERB’s technical office, as well as its civil engineering subsidiary, GERB ENGINEERING, is located in Essen, Germany. The company also has satellite offices worldwide.