Optimum control of broadband noise by barriers based on sonic crystals

TL;DR

This paper presents an optimized design of sonic crystal-based barriers using an algorithm to effectively attenuate broadband noise like traffic noise, with validated experimental results supporting its efficacy.

Contribution

It introduces a novel optimization method for designing sonic crystal barriers with improved broadband noise attenuation capabilities.

Findings

Optimized sonic crystal barriers significantly reduce broadband noise.

Predictions closely match experimental measurements.

Design procedure tailored for traffic noise attenuation.

Abstract

It is demonstrated that sonic crystals (periodic structures of sound scatterers) can be used to design acoustic barriers that attenuate efficiently broadband noise. Traffic noise is chosen here as an example in which our design procedure is applied. The structures consist of cylindrical units containing rubber crumb, a sound absorbing material. An optimization algorithm is developed to obtain the material distribution and the dimensions of the sonic crystal giving the best attenuation properties for this noise. The good agreement found between predictions and measurements for a barrier (3m height) characterized in a transmission room gives strong support to our proposal.