NOISE BARRIER ATTENUATION FIELD EXPERIENCE

A noise measurement program was undertaken at ten field sites at which a variety of noise barriers have been constructed, in order to compare measured values of barrier attenuation with analytical projections. Barrier types included in the study were concrete, mansonry and wooden walls, and berms of various shapes. The measured attenuation values were compared with attenuations predicted by the Kurze-Anderson Infinite Line Source Model of barrier attenuation. The analysis indicated that the model predicts barrier attenuation qually well at all locations behind the barrier. On the average, the model underpredicts the measured attenuation by 1 to 2 dB. The model works best for thin vertical walls, while the largest underpredictions generally occur for berms.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by DOT, Federal Highway Administration.
• Corporate Authors:

  Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Incorporated

  1701 North Fort Myer Drive
  Arlington, VA  United States 
• Authors:
  • SIMPSON, M A
• Publication Date: 1976-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 95 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Berms; Concrete; Field studies; Masonry construction; Mathematical models; Measurement; Noise barriers; Wood
• Uncontrolled Terms: Attenuation; Models
• Old TRIS Terms: Analytical method
• Subject Areas: Highways; Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00158092
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-76- 54 Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FH-11-8287
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 13 1977 12:00AM