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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MDPI AG
2020-08-01
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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. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:10:08Z |
format | Article |
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institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2076-3417 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:10:08Z |
publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Applied Sciences |
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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