A procedure for improving the acoustic efficiency of top-edge devices on noise barriers: An application of genetic algorithms and boundary elements

Abstract

A procedure for improving the acoustic efficiency of barriers featuring top-edge devices is conducted. This methodology is based on the maximization of the insertion loss of candidate profiles proposed by an evolutionary algorithm. The complexity normally associated with these devices raises the need to consider some geometric simplifications in order to ease the shape optimization processes. In this way, the overall barrier configuration is modeled as both thickness and nonthickness bodies (the boundary thickness is neglected), as representatives of very thin elements. Such an idealization requires a complementary formulation to the classical Boundary Element Method (BEM) that allows the problem to be solved. Numerical results are presented both validating the formulation and on the basis of simulations on noise barriers with complex diffuser-type tops by using a 2D Dual BEM code. Results obtained show the suitability of idealizing complex barrier configurations as models featuring thickness and non-thickness boundaries.