A Simplified Method to Calculate the Acoustic Pressure of Three-Dimensional Finite-Length Noise Barriers

Abstract

To predict the performance of three-dimensional (3D) finite-length noise barriers, a simplified method is presented to calculate the acoustic pressure of noise barriers by a theoretical approach. Based on noise diffraction theory and acoustic calculations of two-dimensional barriers, the proposed method considers diffraction around 3D barriers. This method can calculate the acoustic pressure of a one-sided noise barrier and parallel noise barriers. Comparisons are made by the fast multipole boundary element method using Virtual. Lab software. The simulation results show that the acoustic pressure and curve tendency are in very good agreement in the frequency range from 20 to 2,000 Hz. When calculating the acoustic pressure of a one-sided barrier, the absolute error is 1.95 dB and the relative error is 2.98%. When calculating the acoustic pressure of parallel barriers, the absolute error is 2.43 dB and the relative error is 3.75%. These results prove the accuracy of the simplified method. Compared with other complicated methods, the simplified method does not require integrals and is easier to perform and more useful. This method can be used to study and design 3D finite-length noise barriers.