Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Processes – Barrier construction
Patent
1996-09-25
1998-10-27
Mai, Lanna
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Processes
Barrier construction
527471, 52 792, 52271, 52266, 405284, E04B 100
Patent
active
058263993
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention concerns a prefabricated construction element for building a noise-reducing barrier construction on the ground, comprising a box-like unit having at least two vertically stackable sections, viz. a bottom section and at least one upper section, to be filled with sand or the like.
The invention also concerns a method of building such a barrier construction by means of box-like units.
The noise-reducing barrier construction is primarily intended to be disposed adjacent to roads for isolating and reducing traffic noise, so that nearby areas, e.g. residential areas, will be disturbed as little as possible. The barrier construction can of course be used for other, similar purposes, such as at railroads, airports, adjacent to noise-generating factories etc.
As an alternative to the conventional method of providing noise-reduction by means of an embankment of soil or filling material, it is known to build a barrier construction by means of concrete elements, either as ready to use wall elements (see FR-A-2 478 698) or as box-like units intended to be filled with sand or the like. A box-like concrete element of the latter kind is described in DE-A1-27 44 335, wherein prefabricated, relatively large and heavy concrete elements are positioned in a row so as to form a barrier construction. Each element usually consists of two side walls, which are inclined towards each other and which are held at a well defined mutual distance by cross-members serving as frame elements, and which form an upper elongated opening, through which soil, gravel or other filling material can be introduced. Thereupon, it is possible to grow plants in the longitudinal upper opening, and it is also possible to provide the side wall portions with external pockets, where further plants can be arranged as decoration.
The filling material will contribute substantially to an effective noise reduction in that sound waves are damped and to a certain extent absorbed inside the material, so that the wall material itself can be made relatively thin. Nevertheless, the moulded concrete elements are voluminous and heavy to transport and handle in connection with mounting of the noise barrier. Special equipment will be required, e.g. a lorry with a specially formed crane. The total cost for such a barrier construction, including mounting thereof, will therefore be relatively high.
Another noise-reducing barrier, likewise comprising moulded concrete elements, is described in SE-B-366359. Here, each boxlike element, to be filled with sand or other filling material, consists of at least two vertically stackable sections. Each such section is relatively easy to handle in connection with transport and mounting. However, each section is narrower at the base than at the top of the underlying section so as to provide open side portions where bushes or other plants can be grown. The filling material will therefore absorb rain, and will thus contain water, at least periodically. For this reason, the sections must be made of concrete or some other damp proof or weather resistant material. Furthermore, the sound insulating capacity of the filling material will be reduced because of the water contents.
Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to achieve a construction element, which is easier and less expensive to manufacture and which is even easier to transport, and still handy to mount. Moreover it should be relatively inexpensive in finished form and have a long life.
According to the invention, this object is achieved in that said construction element is made substantially of wood, each upper section (20, 30) comprising a wooden frame (11-15; 21-24; 31-34), reinforced by metal fittings and having substantially vertical frame parts, the lower or upper end portions of which are extended so as to engage with the frame of the respective overlying or underlying section (10, 20), and wall panels (25, 26, 35, 36), which are securely anchored to the wooden frame and are made of a light, weather-proof material, said wall panels
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patent: 5261205 (1993-11-01), Sandor
patent: 5403127 (1995-04-01), Knudsen
patent: 5647695 (1997-07-01), Hilfiker et al.
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