The structural members of station platforms are subjected to repeated pressure variations by high-speed trains passing through, which can cause excessive deformation or fatigue failure. Pressure variations increase in particular for shed-covered platforms (Fig. 1), which is a factor to be considered in the design of and maintenance work for station facilities.
   The existing pressure variation calculation formula, which does not consider the opening of the platform floor, causes large errors when compared with actual measurements. The RTRI therefore established a method for numerical analysis of pressure variations, and created a simple formula to calculate the peak pressure value in consideration of the opening and the cross-sectional area of the platform floor (Fig. 2).
   The peak pressure value and dominant frequency depend on the train speed and the distance from the train. The vibration of a structural platform member will resonate with variations in pressure, intensifying when its natural period is close to that of the pressure variation. By applying the response spectrum method reflecting the dynamic behavior of the object member, the RTRI made it possible to easily predict the response displacement of the member subjected to pressure variations (Fig. 3).
   Application of this method in designing new stations or in predicting the effects of increasing train speeds will improve the safety of station facilities.