United States Department of Transportation
ROSA P serves as an archival repository of USDOT-published products including scientific findings, journal articles, guidelines, recommendations, or other information authored or co-authored by USDOT or funded partners.
As a repository, ROSA P retains documents in their original published format to ensure public access to scientific information.
i
Investigation of best options for using scrap tires in highway noise barriers.
-
2011-06-01
[PDF-6.01 MB]
Details:
-
Creators:
-
Corporate Creators:
-
Corporate Contributors:
-
Subject/TRT Terms:
-
Publication/ Report Number:
-
Resource Type:
-
Geographical Coverage:
-
Corporate Publisher:
-
Abstract:In Colorado, approximately 60 million scrap tires have been stockpiled and approximately 4.5 million scrap tires are
generated annually. While CDOT does not generate these scrap tires, CDOT does have goals and policies to promote
sustainability/recycling and receives requests for more traffic noise barriers than can be funded. CDOT identified an
opportunity to combine these two topics by investigating new ways to incorporate scrap tires into highway noise
barriers.
This research project reviewed potential noise barrier materials made from scrap tires, selected a material for field
testing, designed and built a test barrier at the designated site using the material, and monitored barrier performance for
one year. The material selected was a railroad tie replacement made from scrap tire treads.
Although not originally developed as a noise barrier material, the railroad ties were found to be effective. The ties
provided a substantial noise reduction, consumed a number of scrap tires, had substantial internal strength that is a plus
as a building material, and were easily assembled in a post-and-panel barrier design. The barrier performed well over
its first year. The material and the wall design are recommended for consideration by CDOT on other projects.
Some challenges were identified through the project: the ties were not a low-cost alternative for reasons stated in the
body of the report; the finish stain method may need adjusting for a better long-term appearance; rust will appear on
the steel components; and a few minor construction/finish improvements were identified.
-
Format:
-
Funding:
-
Collection(s):
-
Main Document Checksum:
-
Download URL:
-
File Type:
