Nowadays, controlling traffic noise has become an important criterion in the design and construction of transportation infrastructure. The noise pollution due to vehicular movements can be minimized through the construction of noise barriers or low-noise concrete pavement, with the latter being the most efficient method.
Several techniques have been developed to reduce noise pollution, but low-noise diamond grinding is the latest one in this area.
Low-noise concrete pavements are roads with a low-noise surface that can be achieved by including readily available diamond grinding technologies within heavy traffic road design. Not only do heavy traffic conditions on major roads need a strong and durable surface, but also a low-noise pavement to reduce noise in the neighborhood.
Low-noise diamond grinding textures can be applied efficiently and quickly to concrete road surfaces without impairing other features like guard rails, noise barriers, or curbs.
Diamond grinding textures reduce road noises by almost 50% compared to a plain concrete pavement with transverse tining. Grinding textures facilitate smoother rides and increase the safety of the road.
Contents:
Low-Noise Concrete Pavement
Low-noise concrete pavement is a road that has deep negative grooves on its surface, see Figure-1. These grooves are created using a diamond grinding machine, as shown in Figure-2, and help in the reduction of noises generated due to heavy traffics.
In newly constructed roads, the low-noise textures are made in a single pass, whereas the three pass method is applied to rehabilitate aged pavements.
The first pass removes joint stepping, the second pass is surface flushing, and the third is cutting grooves at 12.5 mm centers. Low-noise diamond texture has been applied for several roads in Australia, for instance, Hunter Expressway concrete pavement, see Figure-3.
Advantages
Decreased Noise
The overall noise of concrete pavement is decreased.
Good Ride Quality
Low noise diamond grinding texture offers a more uniform and smoother ride.
Increased Safety
Grooves created on the concrete pavement surface, using diamond grinding, improve traction, especially in wet weather, and allow the road to maintain its texture for a longer time. As a result, the road will be safer over the long term compared to roads without diamond grinding grooves.
Low Initial Cost
The cost of creating diamond texture on the concrete pavement is low. That is why the process of diamond grinding does not increase the initial cost of the project considerably.
Low Maintenance Cost
The diamond grinding texture on concrete pavements is found to be satisfactorily durable which is why the maintenance cost is low.
FAQs
Low-noise concrete pavements are roads with a low-noise surface that can be achieved by including readily available diamond grinding technologies within heavy traffic road design.
1. Fine-grained exposed aggregate concrete
2. Diamond grinding
3. Noise barriers
In newly constructed roads, the low-noise textures are made in a single pass, whereas the three pass method is applied to rehabilitate aged pavements. The first pass removes joint stepping, the second pass is surface flushing, and the third is cutting grooves at 12.5 mm centers.
1. Decreased noise
2. Good ride quality
3. Increased safety
4. Low initial cost
5. Low maintenance cost
Diamond grinding textures reduces road noises by almost 50% compared to a plain concrete pavement with transverse tining.
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