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9.9.1 Noise Barrier Design Loads Wind Loads. In most cases, the wind load represents the main load. The design pressure depends upon the wind velocity, which should be based upon a 50-year mean recur­rence interval (Fig. 9.6). The wind pressure is applied perpendicular to the wall surface to develop the design wind load. On the […]

Preliminary Engineering. During the preliminary engineering step, the following actions should take place: • Develop a basic noise abatement plan, and determine barrier height and location. • Develop alternative methods of abatement such as walls, earth berms, berm-wall combinations, etc. • Develop alternative locations for abatement facilities. • Develop alternative material types such as concrete, […]

It is wise to keep a stock of compatible replacement materials on hand to repair damage from impact or vandalism. Consideration should be given to keeping replacement materials where they can weather to match installed barriers, such as for pressure-treated timber components. Also, if color is added to concrete panels during manufacture, it is desirable […]

Care must be taken not to install a noise barrier in such a way that it will be a safety haz­ard. The general considerations presented in Chap. 6, Safety Systems, apply here. Noise barrier design should incorporate all of the safety design techniques used in the basic roadway design. Examples of features that should be […]

Often, a detailed study is required to address the question of aesthetics. Alternative systems can be compared, with sketches, renderings, plan drawings, and other visual aids prepared to assist in the process. A multidiscipline team approach is desirable, including design engineers, planners, landscape architects, and environmental personnel. Public input to the selection system helps achieve […]

Presuming acoustical requirements are met, selection is usually based on cost and aesthetics. Costs that must be considered include site preparation, the barrier material itself, foundations, fabrication, erection, and maintenance. Aesthetics should be judged with the involvement of personnel with diverse backgrounds, and public participation should be encouraged. However, there are numerous factors that go […]

Except for berms and brick or masonry construction, most noise barriers are of post-and — panel construction, that is, vertical posts spaced a distance apart with horizontal or verti­cal panels running in between. Rails or girts may also run between the posts to support the panels. Posts are embedded in the foundation soil to design […]

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations for mitigation of highway traffic noise in the planning and design of federally aided highways are contained in Title 23 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Part 772. Requirements during the planning and design of a highway project include identification of traffic noise impacts, examination of potential mitigation […]

Figure 9.1 illustrates the fundamental function of a noise barrier. The noise source is traffic, particularly large truck traffic, which generates noise by the action of tires on pavement, the drive train, the engine, and the exhaust. The receiver or receptor can be defined as the location where land use results in exposure to highway […]

James J. Hill, P. E. Structural EngineerConsultantAnoka, Minnesota Roger L. Brockenbrough, P. E. President R. L. Brockenbrough & Associates, Inc.Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania During recent years, there has been increasing concern over noise generated by highway traffic in urban areas. Noise abatement programs have been implemented by many agencies. Source control methods have included the development of […]