A study of a sound radiated by the bridge expansion joint

In rercent years, sounds from bridges caused by traffics has become a serious social problem. This study aims to clarify the characteristics of sound generated from bridge expansion joints. These sounds are caused by the impact of vehicle's tires to the expansion joints, therefore , this paper investigates the relationship of sound characteristics to shape and type of material of expansion joints. Spectral analysis was carried out using the results of measured sound caused by rubber-type and steel-type of expansion joints with three different sizes. Analytic results reveal that peak frequency differs according to the size of expansion joint under low-frequency.

low frequency sound

bridge

expansion joints

spectral analysis