Noise reduction capacity of a composite pavement system

Abstract

Rapid economic development has induced massive road construction, due to increased traffic and travel speeds. However, this development has produced numerous social problems, such as air pollution, traffic noise and road vibration. By applying the theory of Helmholtz resonators to asphalt pavement, special concrete blocks in the base course of asphalt pavement can be used to alleviate various types of traffic noise, such as noise produced by vehicle engines and tire. This research examines two laboratory tests on the sound absorption effect of concrete block and base concrete block, and their applicability in the construction of quiet pavements. The noise reduction effects of the specimens, which are constructed with a fixed size, space, and depth for each hole, are analyzed using different vehicle noise levels. Based on the test results for vehicle noise volume, measurement distance, and form and size of the hole in which the base concrete block is placed, the use of special concrete base and quiet asphalt surface was determined to be a good alternative solution for traffic noise levels in the range of 4 dB to 9 dB. Noise reduction effects were separated into two parts:, a different Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) on the same base concrete block, and a different base block with the same HMA. HMA 3 on the same base concrete block exhibited optimum noise reduction effects with measured noise reduction values in the range of 3 dB to 6 dB. The measured noise reduction values of different base concretes, using the same HMA, ranged e dB to 4 dB. This result means that a quiet asphalt surface exhibited a greater noise reduction effect than a hole in the concrete base block. Based on the test results, the use of HMA 3 in Base D exhibited optimal performance.