Baulac M., Defrance J., Jean P.

In this study, the aim is to optimize the acoustical efficiency of T-shaped noise barriers the top of which is covered with a series of wells. This research work uses a multi-criteria optimisation method in order to find the best noise barrier profile. Numerical simulations of the acoustical propagation are achieved by use of a 2D Boundary Element Method (BEM) code. The optimization part is carried out with a global and direct evolutionary optimization method: a genetic algorithm. The parameters to optimize are the shape of the protection (the depths of the wells on the crowning). The cost function to maximize is defined through a mean value of the acoustical efficiency of the protection compared to a reference configuration, averaged on several receiver points. Final results show significant optimized values of parameters for efficient protections in order to improve classical noise barriers. Work is still in progress in order to optimize wells’ depths on other shapes of barrier tops.