Effects of a multi-layered poro-elastic ground on attenuation of acoustic waves and ground vibration

Ground conditions affect the propagation of outdoor sound and vibration. This paper focuses on the interaction between air pressure and porous ground at low frequencies- where mechanisms other than the rigid porous effects used in locally reacting models may be important. A 2-D analytical model has been developed in this study for the calculation of acoustic and acousto-seismic admittances in a multi-layered poro-elastic ground. The model can be used as a prediction tool both for the ground effect on the sound and the generation of ground vibration by the sound. The modelled acoustic admittance is validated successfully against established rigid frame admittance models over a frequency range of 1 Hz–3 kHz. Moreover, the acousto-seismic impedance is verified against full scale airblast field test data measured during the Norwegian Trials full scale field test program. For certain ground types, the predicted acoustic admittance illustrates a different behaviour compared with predictions from the traditional rigid frame acoustic impedance models. This emphasises the importance of including a deformable frame in the model to obtain realistic results for these conditions.