Sensitivity-based shape optimization of a rigid tramway low-height noise barrier

Alexandre Jolibois, Denis Duhamel, Victor W. Sparrow, J́er̂ome Defrance, Philippe Jean

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

An urban low-height barrier meant to attenuate tramway noise for nearby walking pedestrians or cyclists is considered. The efficiency of this type of device is known to depend on the shape of the cross section and the acoustic properties of the surface treatment. Some sort of absorptive material is often required to enhance the performance by preventing the multi-reflection phenomenon, however such materials can be costly compared to acoustically rigid materials such as concrete. In this study, a rigid barrier is assumed but its shape is optimized using a sensitivity-based shape optimization algorithm coupled to the two dimensional BEM. The shape is here described in a very general fashion by mesh nodes coordinates, which can involve a large number of variables. Sensitivities with respect to all coordinates are calculated efficiently using the adjoint state approach, without significant increase of computation time. Numerical results show that optimized shapes tend to be quite irregular but provide a significant improvement compared to simpler shapes, especially in the mid and high frequency range. Intensity calculations seem to suggest that this improvement is due to scattering of the incident acoustic energy in the upwards direction, therefore reducing the diffiracted energy which reaches the shadow zone. Extra calculations show that the benefit of the optimized shapes can still be significant even in more realistic situations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication42nd International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering 2013, INTER-NOISE 2013
Subtitle of host publicationNoise Control for Quality of Life
PublisherOAL-Osterreichischer Arbeitsring fur Larmbekampfung
Pages2630-2639
Number of pages10
ISBN (Print)9781632662675
StatePublished - 2013
Event42nd International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering 2013: Noise Control for Quality of Life, INTER-NOISE 2013 - Innsbruck, Austria
Duration: Sep 15 2013Sep 18 2013

Publication series

Name42nd International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering 2013, INTER-NOISE 2013: Noise Control for Quality of Life
Volume3

Other

Other42nd International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering 2013: Noise Control for Quality of Life, INTER-NOISE 2013
Country/TerritoryAustria
CityInnsbruck
Period9/15/139/18/13

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Acoustics and Ultrasonics

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