How JTA Can Help

Noise Modelling is a powerful tool to assess noise from industrial facilities with a large number of noise sources. JTA utilises SoundPLAN noise modelling software and state of the art computing to create models of existing and proposed facilities, and predict the emitted noise level at residential receivers. This means you can know what noise levels are likely to be from a design still on the drawing board.

To make sure we provide accurate advice, we use market leading techniques to cost effectively create highly accurate noise models that consistently replicate real world noise levels. Our noise modelling software highlights anticipated noise issues so that you can cost in acoustic treatments, rearrange production equipment layouts or make building design changes before building even starts.

Your Duty in Relation to Environmental Noise

The impact environmental noise has on people depends on the noise level, the noise characteristics and how it is perceived by the person affected by it. Scientific studies have proven that widespread exposure to environmental noise has an impact on health, wellbeing and productivity. As a result, addressing the impact of environmental noise is increasingly being included in the planning and design stages of building projects. Environmental noise legislation, designed to protect the community from exposure to unacceptable noise levels, varies significantly between Australian States and Territories.

The Noise Modelling Process

Noise modelling projects usually fall into two categories;

• Existing sites that want to gain a deep understanding of their noise emissions to know exactly which noise sources are responsible for causing non-compliance
• Proposed sites or extensions that wish to know how the noise environment will change once the project is constructed and operational

For both of these scenarios, the ability to determine exactly how much each individual noise source is required to be controlled is vital. More importantly, necessary treatments can be inputted into the model to verify their effectiveness before implementation, potentially saving huge costs, reducing downtime and protecting reputations.

Outline Of Noise Modelling For An Existing Site

• Site visit to measure noise data of all noise sources
• Noise model drafted based on topographic data pertinent to the local area, the location and elevation of relevant site facilities, and building and structures surrounding the facility
• Noise Model is populated with the measurements obtained from your site
• Boundary conditions are inputted into the model
• The model produces predicted noise levels at noise sensitive receiver locations and provides details of the contributions of all noise sources individually as well as cumulatively
• Noise contour maps are produced to provide a visual ‘noise footprint’ of the sites noise emissions

Benefits

• Assess and cost each noise control option
• Review and rank a range of scenarios
• Noise contour map that shows predicted noise levels at specific sensitive receivers
• Develop noise control options focused on the primary noise sources
• Modelling that determines impact of future changes
• Determine the impact of at the façade of the noise sensitive receivers without entering the property

Figure 1:  Wire frame model of industrial plant including primary noise sources and ground contours.