This research thesis involves the measurement of the airborne sound insulation of road traffic noise barriers, with the goal of gaining a more in depth understanding of the factors that influence noise barrier performance. A measurement system is developed, based on EN 1793-6:2012, to quantify the airborne sound insulation of a noise barrier in situ. Validation testing is performed to ensure that the system meets the requirements of EN 1793-6:2012. MATLAB code is developed, incorporating all of the signal processing tasks into a single graphical user interface. The measurement system is then used to measure the airborne sound insulation of eight existing traffic noise barriers located around Auckland, New Zealand. The results from the Auckland field tests show that consistent single number ratings of airborne sound insulation can be achieved on different samples of the same noise barrier. The presence of air gaps and hidden defects will degrade the acoustic performance of a noise barrier, most significantly at the high frequencies. The comparison of single number ratings calculated with differing measurement frequency ranges is discussed, and some comments are made on the measurement standard itself.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No / Recent progress in the development of European standards has allowed the in situ testing of roadside noise barriers. CEN/TS 1793-5 describes a test method using maximum length sequences (MLS) for the characterisation of airborne sound insulation. However, many barriers are tested according to a laboratory standard, EN 1793-2, based on measurements carried out in reverberant chambers and in the case of timber barriers with a relatively low airborne sound insulation it is not clear to what extent the results of the two tests compare. The paper describes the results of tests carried out using both methods. Six samples of timber barrier were compared including single-leaf and double-leaf constructions and single-leaf constructions with an absorptive core. Very good agreement was found especially when account was taken of the valid frequency range in each test method. The results open up the possibility of routinely evaluating the performance of timber barriers at the roadside where build quality can be variable and there are concerns that the acoustic performance may not match that obtained under laboratory test conditions where typically the barrier is more carefully constructed.

Yes / The in situ measurement of the airborne sound insulation, as outlined in EN 1793-6:2012, is becoming a common means of quantifying the performance of road traffic noise reducing devices. Newly installed products can be tested to reveal any construction defects and periodic testing can help to identify long term weaknesses in a design. The method permits measurements to be conducted in the presence of background noise from traffic, through the use of impulse response measurement techniques, and is sensitive to sound leakage. Factors influencing the measured airborne sound insulation are discussed, with reference to measurements conducted on a range of traffic noise barriers located around Auckland, New Zealand. These include the influence of sound leakage in the form of hidden defects and visible air gaps, signal-to-noise ratio, and noise barrier height. The measurement results are found to be influenced by the presence of hidden defects and small air gaps, with larger air gaps making the choice of measurement position critical. A signal-to-noise ratio calculation method is proposed, and is used to show how the calculated airborne sound insulation varies with signal-to-noise ratio. It is shown that the measurement results are influenced by barrier height, through the need for reduced length Adrienne temporal windows to remove the diffraction components, prohibiting the direct comparison of results from noise barriers with differing heights. / The authors would like to thank the NZ Transport Agency for sponsoring the Auckland traffic noise barrier testing work, and the Auckland Motorway Alliance for assisting with access to the test sites.

Kyoto University (京都大学) / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第17548号 / 工博第3707号 / 新制||工||1564(附属図書館) / 30314 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科建築学専攻 / (主査)教授 髙橋 大弐, 教授 鉾井 修一, 教授 竹脇 出 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(工学) / 乙第13010号 / 論工博第4135号 / 新制||工||1649(附属図書館) / 32938 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科都市環境工学専攻 / (主査)教授 髙橋 大弐, 教授 鉾井 修一, 教授 竹脇 出 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DGAM

Lightweight building materials are now commonly employed in many countries in preference to heavyweight materials. This has lead to extensive research into the sound transmission loss of double leaf wall systems. These studies have shown that the wall cavity and sound absorption material placed within the cavity play a crucial role in the sound transmission through these systems. However, the influence of the wall cavity on the sound transmission loss is not fully understood. The purpose of this research is to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the role played by the wall cavity and any associated sound absorption material on the sound transmission loss through double leaf wall systems. The research was justified by the fact that some of the existing prediction models do not agree with some observed experimental trends. Gösele’s theory is expanded and used in the creation of an infinite and finite vibrating strip model in order to acquire the desired understanding. The sound transmission loss, radiated sound pressure and directivity of double leaf systems composed of gypsum boards and glass have been calculated using the developed model. A method for calculating the forced radiation efficiency has also been proposed. Predictions are compared to well established theories and to reported experimental results. This work also provides a physical explanation for the under-prediction of the sound transmission loss in London’s model; explains why Sharp’s model corresponds to Davy’s with a limiting angle of 61° and gives an explanation for Rindel’s directivity and sound transmission loss measurements through double glazed windows. The investigation also revealed that a wide variety of conclusions were obtained by different researchers concerning the role of the cavity and the properties of any associated sound absorption material on the sound transmission loss through double wall systems. Consequently recommendations about the ways in which sound transmission through cavity systems can be improved should always be qualified with regard to the specific frequency range of interest, type of sound absorption material, wall panel and stud characteristics.