Site Noise\u00a0can model\u00a0any noise source in the open air.\u00a0 This could include:<\/p>\n
Noise sources on such sites are often highly variable, in type, in location and in time, but with care it is possible to obtain accurate noise predictions.\u00a0 These can be used to check that a site will comply with any noise limits that have been imposed.<\/p>\n
Industrial sites can be distinguished from minerals or civil engineering sites, since on industrial sites, much of the activity will arise from fixed plant within buildings, whilst minerals and civil engineering sites generally involve the use of mobile plant in the open air.\u00a0 There is, of course, some overlap, as deliveries and materials storage on industrial sites often involves the use of vehicles and equipment outdoors, whilst civil engineering and minerals sites can involve fixed plant within buildings.<\/p>\n
The main issue with industrial sites is the huge variety of plant involved, for which the sound emission levels are probably unknown.\u00a0 This is made more difficult because the sound emitted from the site will also depend on the sound insulation properties of the buildings that house the plant.\u00a0 The EU Good Practice Guide on Noise Mapping gives some generic guidance on the typical sound power emitted from various types of industry, in terms of watts per square metre.\u00a0 This may be adequate for \u2018strategic\u2019 noise assessments, but will not be adequate for most planning or nuisance assessments.<\/p>\n
For minerals and civil engineering sites the problem is different.\u00a0 The type of plant is likely to come from a fairly limited range \u2013 such as earth-moving, rock-breaking, excavating, piling, concreting and similar operations, which have been reasonably well studied.\u00a0 The problem is that the location of the plant can change rapidly, both in plan and elevation, such as when deep open-cast mineral extraction is taking place.<\/p>\n
NoiseMap’s SiteNoise software is based on guidance given in British Standard BS 5228-1:\u00a02009 \u2018Code of Practice for Noise and vibration control on construction and open sites\u2019.\u00a0 Such sites generally use diesel-engined plant which means that the frequency spectrum is fairly well known and similar to that of roads.\u00a0 It is not therefore necessary to undertake frequency analysis of the source and propagation characteristics of the site, which greatly simplifies the calculations (and also reduces one element of uncertainty).<\/p>\n
However, NoiseMap can calculate levels in octave bands if required. It can also include the corrections for atmospheric absorption, barrier screening\u00a0and soft ground set out in ISO 9613.<\/p>\n
BS 5228 envisages three types of noise source \u2013 Static, mobile on site, and haul roads.\u00a0 Static plant is located at a defined position and does not move.\u00a0 Mobile plant on site is plant that moves within a small area, for example an excavator moving material a short distance from a stockpile to a processing plant. The movements are frequent, but irregular.\u00a0 Haul roads are essentially movements along a defined track that can be specified in terms of a number of movements per hour and with a speed that can be typified.<\/p>\n
SiteNoise allows each of these types of source to be defined and positioned anywhere on the site map.<\/p>\n
To use SiteNoise, you will require a map of the site, a list of the plant to be used, and a description of the \u2018activities\u2019 on site \u2013 in other words the work processes that are involved.\u00a0 The map will need to show the location of the site activities (such as the location of static plant, haul roads and \u2018mobile\u2019 activities).\u00a0 You will also need height information, particularly for activities that will take place at a height above ground level and in excavations below ground level.\u00a0 You will also need information on the ground topography, especially on the height of noise barriers, noise control bunds and fences and baffle banks.<\/p>\n
If these are available as digital drawings, then you will probably be able to convert them directly into SiteNoise model objects.\u00a0 If not, you may have to scan your map in and then trace over it on screen.\u00a0 SiteNoise has functions that let you add a height to objects if the original mapping is in two-dimensions.<\/p>\n
When you have created your topographical model, you will need to put in the working locations, such as the locations where fixed or mobile activities will take place.\u00a0 The final step is to allocate plant to the actual working locations.\u00a0 In SiteNoise, this is called creating \u2018Activities\u2019.<\/p>\n
Once you have done this, you can then start noise calculations, either creating noise contour maps or calculating noise at specific receiver locations that you have entered.<\/p>\n
The modelling process is done from a CAD-style graphical user interface.\u00a0 You do not need to have a detailed understanding of the noise calculation process in order to create a noise model: the requirement is to enter the physical location of objects that are important to the generation and propagation of noise.\u00a0 SiteNoise does all the geometrical analysis for you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Site Noise\u00a0can model\u00a0any noise source in the open air.\u00a0 This could include: civil engineering works; minerals extraction sites; petrochemical sites; industrial sites; wind farms; and similar\u00a0open-air activity Noise sources on such sites are often highly variable, in type, in location and in time, but with care it is possible to obtain accurate noise predictions.\u00a0 These … Continue reading Site Noise<\/span>