Probability approach for prediction of construction site noise

Abstract

This paper describes an alternative method of predicting noise from construction sites using a probability approach. The basis of the approach is the separation of the source characteristics from the propagation characteristics. A site area is divided into a number of square patches in which the source can be located at the centre of any patch or node. The approach assumes that the probability that the noise source of certain acoustic power is at a particular node is the same as for all other nodes. The noise level from each patch is obtained and the temporal noise level distribution during the working day period can be constructed. L Aeq accompanied with standard deviation and noise indices during a working day period can be estimated. The effect of the duty cycle of equipment and number of items of equipment were incorporated in the approach. When validated with the current procedure, the model L Aeq value has good agreement with those obtained from BS 5228, and thus indicates that the probability approach is capable of predicting the equivalent noise level. The method could be used as the basis of an operational management tool for a noise abatement scheme.