Improving the design of M-shape noise barriers using the boundary element method and evolutionary algorithms

Abstract

Shape optimum design of M-shaped noise barriers is carried out using BEM for modelling and evolutionary algorithms for optimization. The sound level is calculated being known: The source position, the receptor position, the barrier shape, and the sound frequency. The fitness function to minimize is the sum of squared differences corresponding to the insertion loss (IL) throughout a set of frequencies belonging to the one-third octave band spectra of two barriers: The candidate M-barrier design and a reference noise barrier design (a simple barrier with higher effective height than the maximum constrained value of the design). The obtained results succeed in accomplishing the imposed requirements. Results are detailed in terms of IL values and barrier shape designs, numerically and graphically. © Civil-Comp Press, 2007.