Reduction of the performance of a noise screen due to screen-induced wind-speed gradients: numerical computations and wind-tunnel experiments
article
Downwind sound propagation over a noise screen is investigated by numerical computations and scale model experiments in a wind tunnel. For the computations, the parabolic equation method is used, with a range-dependent sound-speed profile based on wind-speed profiles measured in the wind tunnel and wind-speed profiles computed with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). It is found that large screen-induced wind-speed gradients in the region behind the screen are responsible for a considerable reduction of the performance of the screen, for receivers near the boundary of the shadow region behind the screen. The screen-induced wind-speed gradients cause a considerable reduction of the size of the shadow region. If the screen-induced wind-speed gradients are taken into account, computed sound-pressure levels near the shadow boundary are in reasonable agreement with levels measured in the wind tunnel. In contrast, computed levels are considerably lower, up to 10 dB, if the screen-induced wind-speed gradients are ignored. This implies that the performance of a screen can be considerably improved if the screen-induced wind-speed gradients can be suppressed, e.g., by the use of 'vented' screens. The reduction of screen attenuation by RESWING (refraction by screen-induced wind speed gradients) for receivers is studied. The sound propagation over a screen in a refracting atmosphere is computed by parabolic equation method. The wind-speed profiles measured in the wind tunnel and wind-speed profiles are computed by computational fluid dynamics. The computer sound-pressure levels in the shadow of the screen are in good agreement with the measured levels.
Topics
Acoustic fieldsAcoustic receiversAcoustic wave refractionAcoustic wave transmissionAttenuationComputational fluid dynamicsComputer simulationMathematical modelsWind tunnelsParabolic equationScreen-induced wind speed gradientsNoise pollution control equipmentNoise measurementNoise reductionSound detectionSound pressureSound transmission
TNO Identifier
235006
ISSN
0001-4966
Source
Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 105(4), pp. 2287-2293.
Publisher
American Institute of Physics
Collation
7 p.
Place of publication
Woodbury, NY, USA
Pages
2287-2293
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