Traffic Noise Mitigation Using Single and Double Barrier Caps of Different Shapes for an Extended Frequency Range

The primary function of noise barriers is to shield inhabitants of affected areas from excessive noise generated by road traffic. To enhance the performance of noise barriers while simultaneously adhering to height restrictions, the attachment of structures (caps) of different shapes to the tops of...

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Main Authors: Domingo Pardo-Quiles, José-Víctor Rodríguez, Jose-Maria Molina-García-Pardo, Leandro Juan-Llácer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-08-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/17/5746
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author Domingo Pardo-Quiles
José-Víctor Rodríguez
Jose-Maria Molina-García-Pardo
Leandro Juan-Llácer
author_facet Domingo Pardo-Quiles
José-Víctor Rodríguez
Jose-Maria Molina-García-Pardo
Leandro Juan-Llácer
author_sort Domingo Pardo-Quiles
collection DOAJ
description The primary function of noise barriers is to shield inhabitants of affected areas from excessive noise generated by road traffic. To enhance the performance of noise barriers while simultaneously adhering to height restrictions, the attachment of structures (caps) of different shapes to the tops of conventional screens can be considered. These caps can significantly impact the diffracted sound energy, thereby increasing the desired global acoustic losses. This work presents a comprehensive study of the acoustic performance of noise barriers with single and double attached caps of different shapes through a calculation of their insertion losses (<i>IL</i>). This study comprehensively addresses and compares different types, sizes, combinations, and numbers of noise barrier caps for different scenarios (including sloping and absorbent grounds) and sources (“car” and “ambulance”) for an extended frequency band up to 10 kHz. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is a range that has not previously been analyzed. A variety of different cap shapes were considered including cylinders, rectangles, trapezoids, and Y/T-shaped forms. To calculate the <i>IL</i>, an innovative and fast uniform theory of diffraction (UTD)-based method developed by the authors was applied in all simulations. The results showed that the Y-shaped single and double barrier caps were, in general, the most effective at increasing <i>IL</i> without raising the height of the barrier, thereby successfully managing the aesthetic impact. The results also showed how the consideration of sloping and absorbent floors could also contribute to improved noise abatement.
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spelling doaj.art-6c296fa6903042279970849f4b5ccb592023-11-20T10:41:38ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172020-08-011017574610.3390/app10175746Traffic Noise Mitigation Using Single and Double Barrier Caps of Different Shapes for an Extended Frequency RangeDomingo Pardo-Quiles0José-Víctor Rodríguez1Jose-Maria Molina-García-Pardo2Leandro Juan-Llácer3Departamento de Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Antiguo Cuartel de Antigones, Plaza del Hospital, 1, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia, SpainDepartamento de Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Antiguo Cuartel de Antigones, Plaza del Hospital, 1, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia, SpainDepartamento de Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Antiguo Cuartel de Antigones, Plaza del Hospital, 1, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia, SpainDepartamento de Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Antiguo Cuartel de Antigones, Plaza del Hospital, 1, 30202 Cartagena, Murcia, SpainThe primary function of noise barriers is to shield inhabitants of affected areas from excessive noise generated by road traffic. To enhance the performance of noise barriers while simultaneously adhering to height restrictions, the attachment of structures (caps) of different shapes to the tops of conventional screens can be considered. These caps can significantly impact the diffracted sound energy, thereby increasing the desired global acoustic losses. This work presents a comprehensive study of the acoustic performance of noise barriers with single and double attached caps of different shapes through a calculation of their insertion losses (<i>IL</i>). This study comprehensively addresses and compares different types, sizes, combinations, and numbers of noise barrier caps for different scenarios (including sloping and absorbent grounds) and sources (“car” and “ambulance”) for an extended frequency band up to 10 kHz. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is a range that has not previously been analyzed. A variety of different cap shapes were considered including cylinders, rectangles, trapezoids, and Y/T-shaped forms. To calculate the <i>IL</i>, an innovative and fast uniform theory of diffraction (UTD)-based method developed by the authors was applied in all simulations. The results showed that the Y-shaped single and double barrier caps were, in general, the most effective at increasing <i>IL</i> without raising the height of the barrier, thereby successfully managing the aesthetic impact. The results also showed how the consideration of sloping and absorbent floors could also contribute to improved noise abatement.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/17/5746traffic noise mitigationnoise barriersnoise barrier capssound attenuationuniform theory of diffraction
spellingShingle Domingo Pardo-Quiles
José-Víctor Rodríguez
Jose-Maria Molina-García-Pardo
Leandro Juan-Llácer
Traffic Noise Mitigation Using Single and Double Barrier Caps of Different Shapes for an Extended Frequency Range
Applied Sciences
traffic noise mitigation
noise barriers
noise barrier caps
sound attenuation
uniform theory of diffraction
title Traffic Noise Mitigation Using Single and Double Barrier Caps of Different Shapes for an Extended Frequency Range
title_full Traffic Noise Mitigation Using Single and Double Barrier Caps of Different Shapes for an Extended Frequency Range
title_fullStr Traffic Noise Mitigation Using Single and Double Barrier Caps of Different Shapes for an Extended Frequency Range
title_full_unstemmed Traffic Noise Mitigation Using Single and Double Barrier Caps of Different Shapes for an Extended Frequency Range
title_short Traffic Noise Mitigation Using Single and Double Barrier Caps of Different Shapes for an Extended Frequency Range
title_sort traffic noise mitigation using single and double barrier caps of different shapes for an extended frequency range
topic traffic noise mitigation
noise barriers
noise barrier caps
sound attenuation
uniform theory of diffraction
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/17/5746
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