Innovative acoustic interference damper for traffic noise

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS WAVEBREAKER REALLY?

It is a "noise trap" which uses the noise waves from the noise source, e.g. the train, and within 3 ms transmits the anti-waves towards and across the original source waves going above the noise screen. By that, it creates an interference sound field above and behind the noise screen where it is placed, resulting in a lower noise than without Wavebreaker.


IS IT SOME KIND OF DIFFRACTION?

Wavebreaker is installed on the edge of noise screens and can be considered to be a kind of a diffractor device. Wavebreaker is the only available diffractor using interference technology. 


WHAT IS INTERFERENCE SOUND DAMPING?

When two sound waves cross each other, the resulting wave pattern will be the sum of the sound pressure in each point and time, i.e. plus X pressure meets minus X pressure = zero. Designing this correctly it could lead to a total lower sound pressure level on the receiver side. 


HOW CAN WAVEBREAKER IMPROVE THE SUSTAINABILITY IN OUR PROJECT?

Wavebreaker can be an option instead of a higher noise screen (up to 2 m). If you build your noise protection barrier in e.g. concrete or wood, the total sustainability effect over 40 years will be at up to 30% better using Wavebreaker instead of building a higher wall, mainly due to much less material used.


CAN WAVEBREAKER BE USED FOR ALL KIND OF TRAFFIC NOISE?

The product is optimized for train traffic and a recent report shows potential for road traffic noise. We hope to find interested clients and together learn more about the potential. We are very keen on using Wavebreaker where it can be effective and for the right purpose. Contact us if you have a technical inquiry.


CAN A NOISE DAMPING EFFECT BE GUARANTEED?

Wavebreaker is still a new product with big potential to be a useful additional noise damper in many cases. Our knowledge is mainly based on controled-environment measurements in laboratory and a pilot project from an urban environment in Stockholm, with influencing parameters as noise screen quality, multiple reflections etc. Each project has a unique set of conditions and we are eager to learn more and further develop our knowledge and experience. 


HOW FAR AWAY FROM WAVEBREAKER CAN A NOISE DAMPING EFFECT BE SEEN?

Our best conclusions at this moment are that it is possible to reach considerable noise reduction results up to at least 25-50 m from the source. Since it is a new product we do not have all answers but we hope to constantly learn more from real-life projects. We are e.g. curious to investigate if a noise reduction up to 50-100 m is possible. (It is well-known that beyond 100 m the noise damping effect from any kind of noise screen or similar products are strongly dependent on wind and weather conditions.)


DOES WAVEBREAKER DEMAND ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY?

No. Wavebreaker is completely "passive". It uses only the energy from the noise source sound field to create anti-sound waves.


IS IT THAT SMART TO PRODUCE WAVEBREAKER IN PLASTICS?

In order to meet the goals of a light-weight and cost-effective part with long lifetime, and at the same time avoid the need for grounding of a metal part, it was a natural choice. From an environmental point of view we use up to 100% recycled material and Wavebreaker can easily be recycled again. The development of recycling and BIO-plastics goes very fast and is in our favour.


IS IT POSSIBLE TO REPLACE SINGLE PARTS?

If single parts need to be replaced due to vandalism or other reasons, this part can easily be dismounted and replaced by a new one. Wavebreaker is a modular system.