Comparative Assessment of Acoustic Baffles

Abstract

AbstractThe article presents a comparative analysis of three variants of acoustic baffles for highways, differing in material of manufacture and operating conditions, but having comparatively the same acoustic efficiency. The aim of the study was to select the most optimal version of the acoustic baffle in terms of the degree of economic efficiency and the most favorable operating conditions. The analysis of the modern market for sound-absorbing and sound-reflecting materials made it possible to select the following options for comparison: an acoustic baffle made of acrylic panels, an acoustic baffle made of metal perforated sheets and mineral wool, and an acoustic baffle made of used car tires. Moreover, the latter option is considered as an alternative and is not common in the practice of providing acoustic comfort in urban areas. Consideration of the possibility of using waste tires as an acoustic baffle is due to the fact that the use of traditional acoustic baffles to solve the problem of reducing the level of acoustic impact is not always economically justified. The cost of acoustic panels, support profiles, racks, installation of the structure is considered to be very high. In turn, the use of used car tires as an acoustic shield will significantly reduce capital and operating costs. Along with solving the problem of acoustic discomfort, a solution to the problem of recycling used car tires will also be provided.KeywordsAcoustic discomfortAcoustic bafflesCar tiresUrban areas recycling