Measurement and prediction of sound attenuation by buildings using acoustic modeling techniques

An analytic model is presented for predicting the noise attenuation characteristics of barriers ranging from thin screens to building-size widths, both in the free field and over ground surfaces. The model provides for double edge diffraction, scattering and absorption at the barrier surfaces, and the acoustical properties of the surface on which the barrier is placed. A high level of correlation is found between the predicted attenuation levels obtained with the model and those measured with a scale model.