Possibilities of Evaluating the Effectiveness of Noise Barriers in Slovakia

This paper presents environmental acute problems from increasing noise levels caused by automobile and rail transport. Noise barriers are considered to be an effective element in reducing noise in densely populated urban areas. However, do these barriers have the correct height, shape, material design, and construction? In the materials and methods, the basic characteristics of noise barrier, sound absorption, and sound insulation are described. Further, measurement methods of the insertion loss of outdoor noise barriers of all types using the direct and indirect method according to standard ISO 10847 and the Adrienne method according to standards EN 1793-5 and EN 1793-6 are presented. The measurement results of insertion loss of the selected noise barrier obtained by the indirect method showed a value of 19.1 dB(A) of insertion loss. This result was compared with simulation by our own software based on the CNOSSOS methodology, giving value of 19.6 dB(A), which is a good correlation. The Adrienne method was used for determination of the airborne sound insulation index of another noise barrier, giving a value of the single-number rating of the sound insulation of the barrier of 28 dB. In discussion, according to EN 1793-2, this value assigns an insulation index of category D3, which means that the barrier is high quality and has satisfactory airborne sound insulation. The advantages and disadvantages of both methods according to STN ISO 10847 and STN EN 1793-6 were discussed. We concluded that the main advantage of the method Adrienne—TN EN 1793-6 is that it can be used in situ under direct sound field conditions and can directly evaluate the sound insulation index of the whole barrier structure.

Download Full-text

Empirical study on the correlation between measurement methods under diffuse and direct sound field conditions for determining sound absorption and airborne sound insulation properties of noise barriers

INTER-NOISE and NOISE-CON Congress and Conference Proceedings ◽

10.3397/in-2021-2383 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 263 (3) ◽

pp. 3350-3361

Author(s):

Andreas Fuchs ◽

Reinhard Wehr ◽

Marco Conter

Keyword(s):

Empirical Study ◽

Sound Absorption ◽

Sound Field ◽

Research Programme ◽

Measurement Methods ◽

Field Conditions ◽

Acoustic Properties ◽

Sound Insulation ◽

Noise Barriers ◽

Airborne Sound

In the frame of the SOPRANOISE project (funded by CEDR in the Transnational Road Research Programme 2018) the database of the European noise barrier market developed during the QUIESST project was updated with newly acquired data. This database gives the opportunity for an empirical study on the correlation between the different measurement methods for the acoustic properties of noise barriers (according to the EN 1793 series) to further investigate the interrelationships between these methods by using single-number ratings and third-octave band data. First a correlation of the measurement methods for sound absorption under diffuse field conditions (EN 1793-1) and sound reflection under direct sound field conditions (EN 1793-5) is presented. Secondly, a correlation of the measurement methods for airborne sound insulation under diffuse field conditions (EN 1793-2) and airborne sound insulation under direct sound field conditions (EN 1793-6) is shown. While for airborne sound insulation a distinct correlation is found due to the wide data range, for sound absorption no robust correlation can be found.

Download Full-text

Advancements in Sound Reflection and Airborne Sound Insulation Measurement on Noise Barriers

Open Journal of Acoustics ◽

10.4236/oja.2013.32a004 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 03 (02) ◽

pp. 25-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Paolo Guidorzi ◽

Massimo Garai

Keyword(s):

Sound Insulation ◽

Noise Barriers ◽

Airborne Sound ◽

Sound Reflection

Download Full-text

Analysis on Traffic Noise Attenuation by Using Sound Barrier

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.584-586.776 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 584-586 ◽

pp. 776-779

Author(s):

Xian Feng Huang ◽

Chen Hui Zhu ◽

Quan Shi

Keyword(s):

Sound Source ◽

Insertion Loss ◽

Traffic Noise ◽

Noise Attenuation ◽

Noise Barriers ◽

Sound Barrier ◽

Noise Barrier ◽

Significant Attenuation ◽

Infinite Line ◽

Insertion Losses

By applying noise insertion loss predicting model of the noise barriers, influencing factors on insertion loss of the sound barrier are investigated for achieving the significant attenuation effects. In term of the infinite line sound source and the finite length of the barriers, the sound insertion losses with varying parameters are calculated and compared. Finally, the meaningful results indicate that the economic and reasonable height and length of the noise barrier are gained to be beneficial for barrier design.

Download Full-text

European methodology for testing the airborne sound insulation characteristics of noise barriers in situ: Experimental verification and comparison with laboratory data

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America ◽

10.1121/1.1286811 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 108 (3) ◽

pp. 1054 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Massimo Garai ◽

Paolo Guidorzi

Keyword(s):

Experimental Verification ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Sound Insulation ◽

Noise Barriers ◽

Airborne Sound

Download Full-text

Florida Noise Barrier Evaluation and Computer Model Validation

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.3141/1859-09 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 1859 (1) ◽

pp. 72-78 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Roger Wayson ◽

John MacDonald ◽

Ahmed EI-Assar ◽

Win Lindeman ◽

Mariano Berrios

Keyword(s):

Insertion Loss ◽

Traffic Noise ◽

Sound Level ◽

Noise Model ◽

Barrier Method ◽

Noise Barriers ◽

Zone Length ◽

Sound Levels ◽

Noise Barrier ◽

Source Level

The results of a project that investigated the effectiveness of in situ noise barriers in Florida are presented. The prediction accuracy of the FHWA Traffic Noise Model (TNM) is compared with STAMINA 2.0 and 2.1 (Florida-specific). A total of 20 barrier sites were visited during a 3-year period that resulted in 844 discrete 20-min equivalent sound level (Leq) measurements behind the barriers. Barrier insertion loss was determined using the ANSI indirect barrier method. A methodology was developed to estimate shadow zone length created behind highway noise barriers. All of the barriers tested were effective (>5 dB:LAeq insertion loss at distances equivalent to the first row of homes, where LAeq is the A-weighted Leq) except one site because of marginal additional shielding from a berm–barrier combination. Only three sites had an insertion loss of less than 5 dB at distances representative of the second row of homes. Overall, measurements indicate that the barriers provide substantial sound level reduction for residents along the highway. TNM was the best prediction model when considering all test sites; however, the STAMINA models were more accurate at predicting source level. TNM predictions using the Average pavement input overpredicted the reference sound levels measured at these sites. TNM predictions using the OGAC (open-graded asphalt concrete) input were improved (under 2 dB:LAeq of error) over those using the Average pavement type input. This result is expected because Florida uses an open-graded asphalt friction mix.

Download Full-text