Sound wall barriers, also known as sound walls, noise barriers, acoustical barriers and sound berms, are designed to protect the public against noise pollution. Noise pollution is adverse sound level exposure that can lead to hearing loss, sleep disturbance, stress and increase blood pressure.
To decrease noise pollution effects, noise regulation mandates have been instituted by governments. Such statutes in the United States most notable include the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act, Federal-Aid Highway Act and Noise Control Act of 1972. These acts promoted decreased noise pollution, quantitative noise analyses, sound wall barrier use and city noise planning. These laws had a significant impact on the housing, city planning and transporting industries from the late 1960s through the early 1080s, when federal funding for noise pollution was stopped.
Still, state regulation eventually worked to reduce noise pollution by encouraging sound wall barrier development and application. As acoustic scientists and engineers improved sound wall barriers to deal with noise issues of diffraction and refraction, the walls were better able to halt sound waves.
To determine if sound wall barriers are effective, scientists gauge the sound allowed to pass through or over the wall. These outdoor structures, designed to block the passage of sound travel, are tested using a logarithmic scale. When a nine decibel reduction is reached, a sound wall barrier is considered adequate. Nine decibels lower in sound is equal to approximately a 90 percent drop in sound waves traveling past the wall.
Sound walls are constructed from earth, masonry or precast concrete. Sometimes a combination of these materials is used. For example, an earth berm may be used to support a higher wall. When sound wall barriers are constructed, they must be built on approved land sites such as on privately owned land approved by the owner or on public right-of-way land areas approved by those with the proper jurisdiction.
An effective and efficient type of sound wall barrier can be manufactured using AFTEC Precast Concrete Forming Equipment. This sound wall barrier is three-fold in purpose. First, it blocks sound waves and reduces noise from a desired area. Second, it is durable to weather and other conditions because it is made from reinforced concrete. Third, it is aesthetically pleasing because both sides of the wall can be textured as slate, stucco, stone or a custom design. |
