Development of design charts for the prediction of noise from construction activities

Abstract

Prediction of noise at the planning stage of construction can help to set out noise mitigation strategies in order to reduce the disruption caused by construction activities. This study focused on the development of design charts based on the stochastic modelling, and comparison, of noise prediction using design charts with measurement results. Two design charts in the form of mean level deviation versus ratio r/w, and standard deviation versus r/w, were established based on analysis using a stochastic model as a response to systematic changes of site parameters. The charts were applied to predict construction noise in a physical case of excavation work, and the noise levels predicted using design charts is slightly higher, by 3 dB (A), than results obtained from actual measurements, due to the assumptions made during modelling. The advantages of design charts is that the level of noise and its standard deviation at various locations of the receiver can be determined manually and quickly using various sound power of equipment that may be employed in real construction processes. These results may help identify early the potential annoyance among the public, and strategies for mitigation could be introduced to comply with the limits specified by local authorities while still in the planning stage.