Experimental and numerical analysis of sonic crystals used in noise barriers

Sonic crystals are special periodic structures where the composing elements have a regular and repetitive geometric arrangement. Their macroscopic characteristics depend not only on their molecular structure, but also and above all on their design geometry. This study focuses on the development of this technology, sonic crystals, used as noise barriers. Specifically, experimental results of sound attenuation obtained through laboratory tests in anechoic and semi-anechoic rooms, conducted on scaled-down sonic crystal barriers (1:3 scale in plan and 1:2 and 1:4 scale in height), will be compared with numerical results obtained through simulations realized with the Finite Element Method (FEM) using MATLAB calculation software. Therefore, by comparing these results, it will be possible to assert the validity of the models. Additionally, it will be confirmed that this technology can be a truly excellent solution for reducing noise pollution, especially in consideration of the environment, as the structures consist of scatterers (the individual elements that make up the barriers) made from recycled or natural materials such as wood derivatives. However, it should be noted that this study was conducted on scaled models, and thus the values obtained may not necessarily be valid for full-scale models.

Keywords: ; noise barriers, sonic crystals, periodic structures, wooden barriers, experimental method, numerical method

Tommaso D'Orazio, Analisi sperimentali e numeriche di cristalli sonici utilizzati in barriere antirumore in "RIVISTA ITALIANA DI ACUSTICA" 2/2023, pp 25-33, DOI: 10.3280/ria2-2023oa15485