Scale-model investigation of the effects of surface absorption and nearby foliage on noise-barier performance

Authors

  • S. Daltrop
  • M. Hodgson

Abstract

Two factors that may affect the acoustical performance of highway noise barriers - surface absorption and nearby vegetation - were investigated using a 1:31.5-scale model highway. Model materials were chosen by performing excess-attenuation measurements and a best fit to find the effective flow resistivity. Surface absorption was tested on single and parallel noise barriers of varying heights, allowing for a comparison between adding absorption and increasing the height. Foliage tests were performed on single and parallel barriers with various configurations of model trees. Barrier absorption prevented the amplification of sound between parallel barriers; in this case, adding absorption to the full source side of the barriers was equivalent to increasing the height of the barriers by 0.33 m. The foliage test results showed that both scattering and absorption occurred, increasing and decreasing barrier performance by up to 4 dB.

Additional Files

Published

2012-12-01

How to Cite

1.
Daltrop S, Hodgson M. Scale-model investigation of the effects of surface absorption and nearby foliage on noise-barier performance. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2012 Dec. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 19];40(4):41-8. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/2581

Issue

Section

Technical Articles