Measurements of noise emissions for classification of highway expansion joints

In this paper, we classify expansion joints on Slovenian highways by their potential as noise sources. To measure this potential, we utilized a close proximity measurement chain with additional vibration measurements on the car's undercarriage. By combining these measurements, we were able to amass a large amount of noise relatable data specific to expansion joints. By correlating this data to expansion joint types present on a number of bridges and viaducts, we were able to statistically analyse and rank various joint types regarding their noise emission. Our previous research activities focused on noise complaints associated with specific cases that showed that the problem can be very annoying, even though it was quite localized. Our study opens up a new way to assess expansion joints during regular close proximity measurements on the road network, and simultaneously presents a quantifiable measurement data basis to exhibit the expansion joint noise emission problems near highways.