Study of Acoustic Diffraction Caused by Machines on Construction Sites

Construction sites are a source of significant noise pollution that can be perceived by nearby residents, potentially causing harmful effects on their health. The implementation of noise barriers is a solution aimed at reducing the noise generated at construction sites, thereby improving the acoustic comfort of local residents. However, the geometry of the barrier and the type(s) of materials used to construct it are factors that impact its effectiveness in mitigating the effects of acoustic diffraction. Furthermore, characteristics related to the noise source (such as spectrum, power, radiation, etc.) also influence the propagation of the noise and affect how it is perceived by residents in the area. The proposed work is a parametric study aimed at assessing the effects of acoustic diffraction caused by a noise barrier in relation to various noise sources present at construction sites. To do so, the considered barrier is a wooden wall placed inside a semi-anechoic room. The paper investigates the impact of the positioning of a speaker, representing a noise source from two types of machines typically found on construction sites, relative to the noise barrier, as well as the positioning of various receivers capturing the perceived noise. Barrier influence is also perceptually evaluated.