Design and analysis of a recycled plastic noise barrier

Abstract

This report documents a study of the feasibility of using soundwalls constructed of recycled plastics in place of conventional building materials. Important considerations in selecting materials used in this study include: environmental impact, acoustics, aesthetics, performance, safety, and cost. Various recycled materials were solicited from commercial manufacturers and subjected to a number of laboratory and field tests. These tests include three-point bending tests, impact hammer excitations, exposure to different types of weather, and experimentation with a variety of connections. Based on those results, several of the most promising materials were selected for construction of a full-scale installation of a test section of a soundwall at the Riverside Campus of Texas A&M University. This field section was monitored for a period of one year for response to environmental factors such as wind and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Analysis of the field structure includes system identification of dynamic characteristics, finite element simulation, and acoustic performance. Acoustic results show that noise insertion loss of the prototype soundwall is exceptional. As for structural integrity, the prototype soundwall performed adequately over the course of the project with only a few members showing detrimental effects from the harsh thermal environment. System identification and experimental analysis of test data were successfully implemented and indicate that the soundwall is moderately wind sensitive. A finite element model of the soundwall was developed to simulate both static and dynamic response to loads. Using methods of modal superposition and random response, deflection was predicted for the top of the wall due to application of a strong wind event.