Numerical and experimental study on noise reduction of concrete LRT bridges

Rolling noise and structure-borne noise radiating from the bridge are two major sources of noise in light rapid transit (LRT) bridges. To control the noise radiation from LRT bridges, an efficient numerical method for noise prediction is needed. In this study, a combined three-dimensional dynamic model and 2.5-dimensional acoustic model were used to investigate noise reduction in a rail and in a U-shaped girder bridge. The effects of three noise mitigation measures on noise control were then compared: installation of a noise barrier, use of a rail pad with a lower stiffness, and use of a floating ladder track. The corresponding noise reduction was investigated using the numerical method. A field test was conducted to validate the noise reduction effects. It was found that the noise barrier was more effective in reducing the rail noise, and the soft rail pad is more effective to control the bridge noise. The floating ladder track can significantly reduce bridge vibration, but the excessive vibration of the ladder track itself became another major noise source. The findings should guide the selection of appropriate mitigation measures for noise reduction in LRT bridges.