Abstract
Highway noise barriers are designed to mitigate the effects of traffic noise along the highway. Noise barriers primarily block the direct path of the sound between the source on the highway and the receiver exposed to the sound. Noise mitigation capability, aesthetics, cost and constructability and structural capacity against wind and earthquake loads are critical parameters to be considered in noise barrier design. The height and length of a noise barrier are determined by acoustical considerations, aesthetics and cost. In addition, the structural design of the noise barrier should meet the established standards. The aim of this study is to evaluate the noise mitigation capabilities, aesthetic features and costs of acoustic designs for the residential buildings located near the urban highway and evaluate the structural performances against wind and earthquake. Through the interviews, the designs higher than 10m are not found acceptable by the residents and also due to the aesthetic concerns the upper part of the noise barrier is set to be constructed as glass. Therefore, the noise reduction capabilities and construction cost and the alternatives that complies with the constraints are determined and the corresponding costs are calculated accordingly. Noise simulation software is used to identify the effectiveness of selected noise barriers and structural analysis and design software is used to evaluate the structural performance. The results show that designed precast lightweight concrete and glass composite noise barrier meet the required noise reduction goal along with a resilient structural performance and affordable cost.
Highlights
Despite the recognition of the importance to reduce environmental noise has had a lower priority than that the other environmental problems such as air and water pollution, noise pollution is one of the phenomena that should be addressed in many cities in the world
Noise barriers primarily block the direct path of the sound between the source on the highway and the receiver exposed to the sound
Aesthetics, cost and constructability and structural capacity against wind and earthquake loads are critical parameters to be considered in noise barrier design
Summary
Despite the recognition of the importance to reduce environmental noise has had a lower priority than that the other environmental problems such as air and water pollution, noise pollution is one of the phenomena that should be addressed in many cities in the world. The adverse impacts of transportationrelated noise in general and road traffic noise in particular on the society have gained recognition in the last 40 years in the world where more than 55% of the population has been started to live in urban cities. There are a number of methods for controlling road traffic noise and noise barriers are arguably the most simple, effective and commonly used method among alternatives. Noise barriers are commonly used in urban expressways in Japan. Highway noise barriers are designed to mitigate the effects of traffic noise along the highway. Aesthetics, cost and constructability and structural capacity against wind and earthquake loads are critical parameters to be considered in noise barrier design. The need for a noise barrier is primarily designed to meet the acoustic standards; the final design is generally shaped by the non-acoustic factors as well
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