Marco Conter

Repeatability and Reproducibility of In Situ Measurements of Sound Reflection and Airborne Sound Insulation Index of Noise Barriers

In Europe, in situ measurements of sound reflection and airborne sound insulation of noise barriers are usually done according to CEN/TS 1793-5. This method has been improved substantially during the EU funded QUIESST collaborative project. Within the same framework, an inter-laboratory test has been carried out to assess the repeatability and reproducibility of the newly developed method when applied to real-life samples, including the effect of outdoor weather variability and sample ageing. This article presents the statistical analysis of the inter-laboratory test results, and the values of the repeatability and the reproducibility, both in one-third octave bands and for the single-number ratings. The estimated reproducibility values can be used as the extended measure of uncertainty at the 95% credibility level in compliance with the ISO GUM. The repeatability and reproducibility values associated with airborne sound insulation are also compared with the corresponding values for laboratory measurements in building acoustics and an acceptable agreement is found.

BEM Simualtions of Non‐standard Noise Barriers with a Focus on Tunability

Noise barriers are one of the primary means in noise abatement for traffic‐related noise in proximity of roads and railways. While the efficiency in noise absorption and noise insulation is evaluated experimentally with different methods [1,2,3], simulations are a helpful and cost‐saving tool in predicting and planning new noise barrier solutions. In the following paper non‐standard noise barriers have been analysed with the help of BEM simulations, with focus on the tunability of the barrier.

Austrian experience with the backing board method for statistical pass‐by measurements

Traffic noise is one of the major environmental concerns within the countries of the European Union. 80 to 90% of the traffic noise pollution is generated by road traffic. The major part of the noise emitted by vehicles on roads in the mid‐ to high‐speed range is nowadays due to tyre/road noise. It is generated by the interaction between tyre and road surface, and therefore the measurement of the typical noise emission is essential for the classification of pavements with regard to noise. The SPB method (Statistical Pass‐By, ISO 11819‐1) is nowadays the most widely used method to characterise road surfaces, but it is difficult to apply especially in the presence of roadside noise barriers. The backing board method, further developed within the EU Project SILENCE in the past years, offers a possibility to measure and to characterise surfaces also close to reflective objects and in urban environments. This paper describes the first Austrian experimental experience with the application of this variant of the...

Austrian investigation on the influence of sound leakage in noise reducing devices

Noise barriers are the most widely used means for road traffic noise abatement. Sound absorption and sound insulation are the key properties for noise barrier elements. The standard method of determining these properties by reverberation room measurements has recently been complemented by an in‐situ method following CEN/TS 1793‐5, also known as Adrienne method. This method allows flexible assessment of the acoustic performance of noise barriers in almost arbitrary places by means of mobile measurement equipment. Using the possibility to perform in‐situ measurements the authors have investigated the presence of sound leakage due to structural imperfections which limit the sound insulation performance of noise barriers. This paper summarizes the results of Austrian research on different kinds of barriers regarding the difference in sound insulation between measurements carried out in front of the supporting post (where leakage is likely to occur) and in the middle of the barrier. A statistical correlation o...