IN SITU STUDIES OF SOUND INSULATION INDEX OF NOISE BARRIERS

Abstract

Outdoor noise barrier is roadside noise reducing device, the primary task of which is the protection of a predetermined sound protection area against road traffic noise. The examinations of acoustic properties of the elements used for construction of noise barriers are usually carried out in laboratory conditions according to the PN-EN 1793-1,2 standard. These examination procedures cannot be applied to existing installations. Therefore problems that are usually neglected are the problems related to the acoustic properties that essentially depend on a series of factors unrelated to the building elements themselves, namely: barrier dimensions, quality of workmanship, barrier location and the type and topography of the ground foundation. In the European Research Project "Adrienne" a methodology has been elaborated for in-situ determination of acoustic parameters of noise barriers. The examination, in which analysis of the system's impulse response after MLS signal actuation and a proper numerical algorithm are applied, leads to determination of airborne sound insulation of the existing constructions as well as the single number sound reflection factors and differences of diffraction properties at the top-edge elements of the barriers. The present paper describes the possibilities of determination of the intrinsic characteristics of airborne sound insulation index for the road traffic noise reducing devices in free field conditions and the determination of single number rating of airborne sound insulation to indicate the performance of the noise barrier.