Analysis of Traffic Noise Barrier

Teo, Ting Feng (2017) Analysis of Traffic Noise Barrier. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

Highway traffic noise, the dominant source of noise pollution in residential area, brings disturbance to the residents. The sound pressure level (SPL) of the highway traffic noise can up to 100 dB which will cause serious health problem if long term exposure. Therefore, noise barrier, a common mechanical application or acoustic instrument which is used to reduce or reflect the noise generated from the vehicles was analysed in this research. The analysis was carried out using computer-aided engineering software ANSYS 17.0 with ACOUSTICS ACT Extension. Different design concept of noise barriers were analysed and compared in term of their effectiveness in blocking the noise propagation to residential area. For instance, the design concept included stacked panel noise barrier, brick masonry noise wall, ripple concept noise barrier, and curve concept noise barrier. Additional features were taken into account as well to enhance the effectiveness of traffic noise barrier. The results able to show different kind of material usage in noise wall or noise barrier containing different noise reduction with the range from 5 dB to 15 dB. Based on the analysis, the brick masonry noise wall indicated the best concept in noise isolation among the others. It able to reduce the sound pressure level as much as 15 dB from non-existing barrier surrounding. While compared to existing noise barrier performance, it only able to reduce the loudness of traffic noise by as much as half. The brick masonry noise wall is followed by ripple concept with add-on features which able to reduce the sound pressure level up to 10 dB. Besides, the cost evaluation of noise barrier in different country has conducted in this analysis. The main outcome is enabling readers to understand and gain more information regarding the traffic noise barrier with its effectiveness.