CONCRETO & Construções | 55
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estruturas em detalhes
Low-noise
concrete pavements:
the European practice
1. INTRODUCTION
C
ontrolling traffic noise
has become an increas-
ingly important priority in
recent decades. The European Union
addressed the general issue of envi-
ronmental noise in a 2002 European
directive known as the “Environmen-
tal Noise Directive (END)”. The mem-
ber states were asked to draw up
noise maps and to take steps to pre-
vent and mitigate the harmful effects
of the noise, with particular focus on
busy roads and railways, in densely
populated areas, and in proximity to
sensitive sites such as hospitals and
schools. Steps have already been
taken in various countries includ-
ing the installation of noise barriers
along highways.
However, when it comes to traf-
fic noise, it is more efficient to ad-
dress the problem at its source by
using quieter pavement. That is why
the development of alternative types
of pavement and surface finishing
currently remains highly relevant.
The goal is the reduction of the tyre-
pavement noise generated by the in-
teraction between tyres and the road
surface, which is the primary cause
of traffic noise. At the same time, it
is also important that other essential
characteristics of the road structure
and the surface are preserved, for
example, the smoothness and skid
resistance of the road surface, but
also its durability. Finally, it is im-
portant for a quiet pavement to re-
main intact for as long as possible.
Durably quieter, in other words, is
the goal.
This paper will show that concrete
pavements are not as noisy they are
often perceived; it will provide ex-
amples of techniques to ensure low-
noise concrete pavements and will
look at case studies and real data
showing concrete’s performance.
2. GENERAL INFORMATION
ON TRAFFIC NOISE
2.1 About sound and traffic noise
Traffic noise encompasses sound
from various types of sources, which
are usually divided into the following
categories:
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propulsion: motor, exhaust and
other components of the vehi-
cle’s drive mechanism;
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interaction tyre-road surface:
known as tyre-pavement noise;
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aerodynamic sound: caused by
the wind turbulence around the
vehicle.
The type of vehicle and its speed
play an important role. For passen-
ger cars, the tyre-pavement noise
will outweigh the propulsion sound
once a speed has been reached of
around 30 km/h. For trucks, this
LUC RENS – C
onsulting
E
ngineer
| M
anaging
D
irector
FEBELCEM - EUPAVE
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Figure 1
Examples of noise barriers along highways
