Noise and vibration control strategy

Abstract

An investigation into noise reduction in ram hammer piling operation. Government regulation and community expectations of noise pollution has increased thus pressure has been made for the piling industry to reduce the amount of noise pollution emitted. The goal the thesis was to investigate all the positive and negative impacts on the noise reduction. These factors were used in a strategy for an effective redesigning of the lower assembly. Manufacturer has tasked the design team to reduce the measured sound levels from the lower assembly of the ram hammer by 7dB at 10 meters. An alternative drive cap housing with large holes in the sidewalls was tested. This caused the measured sound pressures levels it increases, however once a cover lined with noise reduction material was added. The measured sound pressure level was reduced, testing of new material combinations reduced the sound pressure level to the targeted range. The cover and housing were redesigned to be more production ready caused the sound pressure level to increase not decreases as planned. Using acoustic modelling to investigate why the new design was not effective and improve the design. Creation of strategy on limits and restrictions on the ram hammer drive cap, housing, and cover. So that a production ready design has the effec-tive ness of the test cover and housing.