Concrete Walls for Highway Noise Reduction

Sound walls are being increasingly used to reduce the impact of traffic noise on residential and business installations adjacent to major urban traffic routes. Noise wall projects using cast-in-place concrete, precast concrete panels, concrete masonry units, and plaster or air-placed concrete are described. Precast concrete projects include both conventional and cellular concrete, and panels with their longest dimension placed both horizontally and vertically in the wall. Masonry walls include mortared-in-place block of several types and a pilot project using prefabricated block panels in a wall more than 13 ft (4.0m) high. Some unusual wall designs from California are illustrated, including a combination noise wall-safety barrier-planter design and a wall using red stucco and roof tile in Spanish motif to enhance the view of the wall from the property-owners' side. A variety of experimental installations using air-placed concrete and plaster are also included.