Construction Noise Management Using Active Noise Control Techniques

Abstract

In recent years, noise-related disputes caused by construction equipment have increased, resulting in delays and cost overruns in the construction process. To deal with this challenging issue, passive noise control methods such as soundproof barriers and enclosures have been widely used. However, these methods have a limited effect when used to attenuate low-frequency noise. This research aims to suggest a noise management model and to demonstrate the applicability of active noise control (ANC) as a new approach to supplement the limitations of passive noise control. Simulations were conducted to demonstrate and identify the noise reduction effect by active noise control for construction equipment. The simulation results show that noise cancellation can be highly efficient in the low- and mid-frequency bands below 1,000 Hz and that the reduction effect degraded as the frequency increased. On the basis of the findings presented in this research, an environmental manager will be able to mitigate noise-related disputes and their negative effects by applying active noise control during the construction phase.