Propagation of Outdoor Sound - Partial Barriers

If a barrier is interposed between a sound source and a receiver, part of the sound will be

• reflected back from the barrier
• transmitted through the barrier 
• diffracted around the barrier

The attenuation can be expressed with the help of the Fresnel number expressed as: 

N = 2 δ / λ                                                      (1)

where

N = Fresnel number (dimensionless)

δ = A + B - d, can be calculated from the figure below (m or ft)

λ = wavelength of the sound (m or ft)

Note! The attenuation depends on the wavelength of the sound. For short waves (high frequencies) the Fresnel number limits infinitely. For higher wavelengths the Fresnel number limits to zero.

The outdoor barrier attenuation for different Fresnel number can be estimated with the diagram below.

Note! The attenuation is reduced for moving sources (like vehicles etc.) compared to stationary sources.

Example - Attenuation by an Outdoor Highway Noise Barrier

The distance A from a highway to the top of a barrier is 20 m, the distance B from top of the barrier to a person is 30 m and the distance d between the highway and the person is 43 m. The d value can be calculated as

δ = (20 m) + (30 m) - (43 m)

   = 7 m

The Fresnels number for noise with frequency 500 Hz (wavelength 0.69 m) can be calculated as

N = 2 (7 m) / (0.69 m)

   = 20

The barrier attenuation for noise with frequency 500 Hz can then be estimated from the diagram above to approximately

17.5 dB

The Fresnels number for noise with frequency 2000 Hz (wavelength 0.17 m) can be calculated as

N = 2 (7 m) / (0.17 m)

   = 82

The barrier attenuation for noise with frequency 2000 Hz can then be estimated from the diagram above to approximately

20 dB

Temperature ^oC
K
^oF

Length m
km
in
ft
yards
miles
naut miles

Area m²
km²
in²
ft²
miles²
acres

Volume m³
liters
in³
ft³
us gal

Weight kg_f
N
lbf

Velocity m/s
km/h
ft/min
ft/s
mph
knots

Pressure Pa
bar
mm H₂O
kg/cm²
psi
inches H₂O

Flow m³/s
m³/h
US gpm
cfm