Article,
Reducing the acoustical façade load from road traffic with green roofs
Building and Environment, (2009)
Abstract
Noise annoyance by road traffic is a major issue in urbanized regions.
In this study, the influence of a green roof on the façade noise
load was investigated numerically for road traffic at close distance.
Consistent positive effects of the presence of a green roof are observed
at non-directly exposed (parts of) façades. A sufficient green roof
area is needed to obtain significant reductions in total A-weighted
road traffic noise level. With increasing traffic speed, the green
roof effect increases for light vehicles. In case of heavy vehicles,
this dependence is less strong. In a street canyon situation, the
façade load in the non-exposed canyon is largely influenced by both
the roof slope and the presence of a green roof. A flat roof generally
results in the best average shielding. A green roof is especially
interesting in case of a saddle-backed roof. With a good choice of
green roof parameters, the shielding of a flat green roof can be
approached.
