Sound walls are large structures placed beside highways to abate noise. Their efficacy in this regard has been called into question, as they tend to reflect noise as opposed to absorbing noise. Sound walls are conventionally made of concrete and may stand 12-16 feet tall, sometimes taller.
The posts 104 may be connectors, or alternatively, may be replaced with anchored posts 106. In most cases, each of the posts 104 and 106 may require a foundation. At the least, the anchored posts 106 require a foundation to support the tremendous weight of the concrete panels, as well as shear forces exhibited by winds or vehicle collisions with the wall system 100. Caissons 108 are used to support the anchored posts 106, and in some cases, a portion 106a of the anchored posts 106 is disposed in the caisson 108 and back-filled with concrete. As noted above, placement of the caissons 108 and anchored posts 106 is critical, as the concrete panels 102 are not adjustable in width. As can be appreciated, installation of such concrete panels is a large construction project, with commensurate costs due to the involved forces and required precision.
In some cases, such as vehicle collisions with the wall system 100, a concrete panel 102 can become damaged or develop a structural fault 110. In such cases, replacement of the concrete panel is a major undertaking, requiring demolition, re-installation with a crane, etc. Accordingly, what is needed is a sound wall system that is lighter weight, adjustable, and easy to install or repair. It would also be highly beneficial if the sound wall absorbed at least a portion of the ambient sound rather than reflected the sound.
Systems and methods are disclosed for a highway sound wall system comprising a sound wall panel assembly filled with loose foam glass aggregates. The highway sound wall may further comprise a pair of spaced apart vertical members. The vertical members may be H-beams having a flange portion and a body portion. The highway sound wall may further comprise a pair of spaced apart mesh members extending between and retained within the vertical members, thereby forming the sound wall panel assembly. Each of the vertical members may have at least one attached stop block. At least one vertical edge of the mesh members may have an attached bar which engages the at least one stop block. Each of the vertical members may have at least one stop block attached to the flange portion and at least one stop block attached to the body portion. At least one vertical edge of the mesh members may have an attached bar which engages both stop blocks. The sound wall may be temporary or permanent.
Systems and methods are disclosed for constructing a highway sound wall system, comprising providing a pair of spaced apart soldier beams, trapping a pair of mesh panels between the soldier beams, and filling space defined between the mesh panels and soldier beams with loose foam glass aggregates. The mesh panels may be lifted into place from above the soldier beams.
Systems and methods are disclosed for connecting a pair of spaced apart soldier beams to a pair of retaining grids, comprising providing a stop block on a flange portion of each of the soldier beams, providing a bar along a lateral edge of each of the retaining grids, and sliding the retaining grids into place from above, such that the stop blocks engage the bars, trapping the retaining grids in place. A stop block may also be provided on a body portion of each of the soldier beams for engaging the bar on a different face from a face of the bar engaged by the stop block on the flange portion of each of the soldier beams.
Systems and methods are disclosed for constructing a highway sound wall system, comprising providing a pair of spaced apart soldier beams, trapping a pair of retaining grids between the soldier beams, wherein trapping comprises providing a stop block on a flange portion of each of the soldier beams, providing a bar along a lateral edge of each of the retaining grids, and sliding the retaining grids into place from above, such that the stop blocks engage the bars, trapping the retaining grids in place, and filling space defined between the retaining grids and soldier beams with loose particles of foamed glass aggregates.
Systems and methods are disclosed for a highway sound wall system comprising a sound wall panel assembly filled with loose foam glass aggregates. The highway sound wall may further comprise a pair of spaced apart vertical members. The vertical members may be H-beams having a flange portion and a body portion. The highway sound wall may further comprise a pair of spaced apart mesh members extending between and retained within the vertical members, thereby forming the sound wall panel assembly. Each of the vertical members may have at least one attached stop block. At least one vertical edge of the mesh members may have an attached bar which engages the at least one stop block. Each of the vertical members may have at least one stop block attached to the flange portion and at least one stop block attached to the body portion. At least one vertical edge of the mesh members may have an attached bar which engages both stop blocks. The sound wall may be temporary or permanent.
Systems and methods are disclosed for constructing a highway sound wall system, comprising providing a pair of spaced apart soldier beams, trapping a pair of mesh panels between the soldier beams, and filling space defined between the mesh panels and soldier beams with loose foam glass aggregates. The mesh panels may be lifted into place from above the soldier beams.
Systems and methods are disclosed connecting a pair of spaced apart soldier beams to a pair of retaining grids, comprising providing a stop block on a flange portion of each of the soldier beams, providing a bar along a lateral edge of each of the retaining grids, and sliding the retaining grids into place from above, such that the stop blocks engage the bars, trapping the retaining grids in place. A stop block may also be provided on a body portion of each of the soldier beams for engaging the bar on a different face from a face of the bar engaged by the stop block on the flange portion of each of the soldier beams.
Foam glass aggregates are an inert, stable, and environmentally friendly substrate. Typically, to form foam glass aggregates, recycled glass is cleaned, ground, mixed with a foaming agent, heated, and allowed to fragment from temperature shock. The resulting aggregates are cellular, with a relatively low bulk density, but relatively high durability. Foam glass aggregates have many uses, for example, as a lightweight fill for construction applications, vehicle arrestor beds, building insulation, etc. However, since foam glass aggregates provide an important economic driver for glass recycling, finding new uses and applications for foam glass aggregates is extremely desirable.
A sound wall panel assembly 204 is disposed between two vertical members 202. The sound wall panel assembly 204 may be restrained or entrapped between the two vertical members 202, such that it is secured from falling. The sound wall panel assembly 204 comprises a pair of retaining grids 206 (only the front is visible in
The foamed glass aggregates are disposed between the retaining grids. UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates weigh about 201b/cf (or psf), which is approximately 80% lighter than gravel. As can be appreciated, this greatly reduces the support requirements for vertical members 202. Moreover, a layer of UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates possesses considerable sound insulation properties. It is understood that foamed glass aggregates refers to loose particles or fragments of foamed glass. As such, they are easily handled in a manner similar to gravel, but without the weight and with better properties, as will be described. Many sizes for the sound wall panel assembly 204 are contemplated. For example, the sound wall panel assembly may be greater than about 6 feet tall, greater than about 8 feet tall, and greater than about 10 feet tall. For example, the sound wall panel assembly may be greater than about 2 feet wide, greater than about 4 feet wide, and greater than about 6 feet wide. Engineering requirements and regulatory stipulations may dictate size of the sound wall.
The retaining grids 206 may be metal, preferably a coated, galvanized, anodized, or other treated metal designed for long term outdoor exposure. Such materials may be determined by federal regulation or other regulatory requirements for construction projects. Spacing for the grid size of the retaining grids 206 may be a 1-inch by 1-inch, for example a steel mesh panel, for example, a hot-dipped galvanized mesh panel. In any event, it is understood that the mesh size of the retaining grids 206 is small enough to retain the foamed glass aggregates.
The sound wall panel assembly 204 may be constructed on site, for example, after the two vertical members 202 are installed, the retaining grids 206 may be lifted into place, requiring no connections on site. The retaining grids 206 may secured to the two vertical members 202, preferably, as described with respect to
Advantageously, vertical members 202 need not be spaced an identical distance apart. For example, a sound wall panel assembly 204′ is substantially similar to the sound wall panel assembly 204, but covers a greater distance between two vertical members 202. A sound wall panel assembly 204″ is substantially similar to the sound wall panel assembly 204′, but covers a slightly greater distance between two vertical members 202. Variation necessary to afford structural stability for the span and height is contemplated. It is also understood that even if the retaining grids 206 are prefabricated (thus requiring careful spacing of the vertical members 202), the cost of the system still will be greatly reduced compared to conventional systems due to the significantly lower weight (and therefore loads) involved.
In one embodiment, the layer of foamed glass aggregates does not require a foundation and may be directly in contact with the soil. An optional liner may be disposed between the foamed glass aggregates and the soil layer. The optional liner may be a permeable liner, a semi-permeable liner, or an impermeable liner depending on the site and application. Those skilled in the geosynthetics, geo-environmental engineering, or construction can readily appreciate if a liner is desirable. Suitable impermeable liners include those made from reinforced polyethylene, reinforced polypropylene, thermoplastic olefin, ethylene propylene diene monomer, polyvinyl chloride, isobutylene isoprene, butyl rubber, etc. Alternatively, a knee wall may be installed and the foamed glass aggregates placed on top of the knee wall.
An optional port 208 may be provided in the sound wall panel assembly 204, 204′, or 204″ (depicted). The port 208 may be installed on site, e.g., before the foamed glass aggregates fill is added, by securing the port in the space defined between the retaining grids. The port 208 may be for drainage and/or to provide a passageway for small animals (for example, in environmentally sensitive areas) the necessary openings in the retaining grids 206 being made.
Returning to
In a first example, the UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates may have an open cell structure. Open cell foamed glass is produced by using a different foaming agent than that used for closed cell foamed glass. The foaming agent for open cell reacts faster in the heating process and creates inter-connections between the air bubbles which allow water to be absorbed into the aggregates. The UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates with an open cell structure may, in particular, have pores to support growth of microbes and bacteria. In a second example, the UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates may have a closed cell structure. It is understood that UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates, as used in this disclosure, comprises both open cell or closed cell structures unless specified as one or the other.
UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates can be submerged underwater with no deleterious effects. As can be appreciated, a sound wall comprising UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates combined with water treatment media could take part in improving roadside water quality or otherwise improving the roadside environment. For example, UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates (e.g., either open cell UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates or closed cell UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates) may be combined with water treatment media (such as, for example steel slag, calcium carbonates, organoclays, etc.) that removes phosphates, nitrates, and/or hydrocarbons. The water treatment media may be a coating, dusting, or otherwise applied to a surface of the UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates. In a preferred embodiment for wet environments, the UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates are a closed cell UL-FGA™ foamed glass aggregates having organoclay deposited on its surface.
Turning now to
The retaining grid 206 further comprises a rectangular bar 406 welded to the horizontal bars 401. The bar 406 may be continuous and may be a steel bar (e.g., galvanized). The retaining grid 206 may be lifted into place so that it is disposed relatively interior to a flange portion of the vertical member 202. The bar 406 may engage the flange portion of the vertical member 202 to prevent outward movement of the grid 206.
Stop blocks 408 are attached to the vertical member 202. For example, the stop blocks 408 may be continuous or segmented steel bars welded to the inside of the flange portion of the vertical member 202. The stop blocks 408 engage the bar 406 to prevent lateral movement or sagging of the grid 206.
Optionally, a second set of stop blocks 410 may be attached to the vertical member 202. For example, the stop blocks 410 may be continuous or segmented steel bars welded to the inside of the body portion of the vertical member 202. In this embodiment, the stop blocks 410 hold the grid 206 in place while the foamed glass aggregates are being added.
In another embodiment, the grids are cut to size on site to accommodate variation in spacing between the vertical members.
In another embodiment, a method of repairing a damaged conventional sound wall (such as in
In yet another embodiment, the sound walls according to this disclosure may be attached to buildings, such as to afford building cladding that absorbs sound. A layer of foamed glass aggregates behind steel mesh is free draining (thus placing no water pressure on the building) and extremely lightweight. The attachment assembly of
Recycled glass cullet is cleaned, ground to less than 150 micrometers (US Standard sieve size No. 100), mixed with a foaming agent (e.g., for open cell foamed glass aggregates, a carbonate foaming agent; for closed cell foamed glass aggregates, a silicon carbide foaming agent) in a blending unit, heated, and allowed to fragment from temperature shock. The resulting foamed glass aggregates are cellular. After sample preparation, the initial moisture content is measured following ASTM D2216 (2010), grain size distributions are determined following ASTM C136/136M (2006) and the initial bulk density is measured following ASTM C127 (2012a) on the foamed glass aggregates. The average moisture content is determined to be 1.06% (initially, the moisture content will be lower (although if exposed to moisture the foamed glass aggregates can hold up to 10% by volume on its surface)) and the average bulk density is determined to be 227.2 kg/m3 (14.2 pcf). Sieve analyses are performed following the dry sieving method on the foamed glass aggregates. Particle size ranges from 10 to 30 mm (0.39 to 1.18 in) but is a very uniformly graded material.
Recycled glass cullet is cleaned, ground, mixed with a foaming agent, heated, and allowed to fragment from temperature shock. The resulting foamed glass aggregates are cellular (foaming creates a thin wall of glass around each gas bubble). By volume, the foamed glass aggregates are approximately 92% gas bubbles and 8% glass. The water content (per ASTM D 2216) of the foamed glass aggregates will change with time due to the cellular nature of the material.
This application claims the benefit of provisional U.S patent application Ser. No. 63/143,195, filed Jan. 29, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2022/014028 | 1/27/2022 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
63143195 | Jan 2021 | US |