Acoustics and aesthetics of GRC noise barriers

Glass-fibre reinforced concrete (GRC) noise barriers have been produced for more than 20 years. GRC does not compete with concrete on price alone, but its advantages include aesthetics and rapid and reduced installation costs. GRC requires minimal maintenance and cleaning should be unnecessary if the barriers are sealed or painted with anti-graffiti paint. By blocking the line of sight, a solid noise barrier with a mass of more than 20 kg/m2 gives a noise reduction of 5dB. Each additional 1m height above the line of sight gives about 1.5dB additional noise reduction. Despite its narrow section, a thin, flat GRC highway noise barrier can perform as well as a concrete, masonry or thick timber panel. GRC can be made with a profile to disperse the noise in a controlled manner or as an absorption panel with a permeable grill and insulating core. Concrete and GRC allow artistic freedom with colour, shape, pattern and texture. Case studies are presented of the use of GRC noise barriers: viaducts at Glebe Island and on the M4 motorway in Parramatta in New South Wales, Australia; mixed polycarbonate/GRC panels on the elevated motorway leading to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; the A86 bridge over the River Seine at Choisy le Roi, France; the A3 Autoroute in Paris, France; barrier use in Hong Kong; and the A44 autobahn in Duesseldorf, Germany.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/14605856
• Authors:
  • RIDD, P
  • GILBERT, G
• Publication Date: 2005

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 32-4
• Serial:
  • CONCRETE ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: THE CONCRETE SOCIETY
  • ISSN: 1460-5856

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aesthetics; Bridges; Concrete; Costs; Design; Fiber reinforced concrete; Fibers; Glass; Noise barriers
• Geographic Terms: Australia; France; Germany; Hong Kong (China); Spain
• ITRD Terms: 9107: Aesthetics; 8006: Australia; 3455: Bridge; 4755: Concrete; 224: Cost; 9011: Design (overall design); 4557: Fibre; 4784: Fibre reinforced concrete; 8036: France; 8125: Germany; 4547: Glass; 8131: Hong Kong; 2886: Noise barrier; 8105: Spain
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Finance; Highways; Materials; Safety and Human Factors; I32: Concrete; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01030213
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Aug 7 2006 1:25PM