Novel noise barrier panel with tilting mechanism initiated under threshold wind speed

The purpose of this study is to develop a novel noise barrier panel with a tilting mechanism that significantly reduces the wind load. The panel mechanism is designed to remain closed under subthreshold weak wind while opening in occasional strong winds. The feasibility of the proposed tilting panel and the analysis model was validated through a wind tunnel test. The tilting mechanism of the panel, which uses magnets, successfully operated as predicted in the test. The threshold wind speed to open the panel can be adjusted by magnet strength. The drag force acting on the tilting panel was reduced by 78% at 40 m/s as the panel opened about 78°. The base moment of the noise barrier was respectively reduced by 40%, 64%, 76%, 78%; when 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% of the panels were replaced with tilting panels. A significant reduction of wind load is expected with this design even if the tilting panels are partially installed on the noise barrier.