With the rapid urbanization and increasing traffic volume, traffic noise has become a growing concern, leading to a continuous demand for the installation of noise barriers and noise tunnels. However, conventional H-beam-based noise barrier structures...
With the rapid urbanization and increasing traffic volume, traffic noise has become a growing concern, leading to a continuous demand for the installation of noise barriers and noise tunnels. However, conventional H-beam-based noise barrier structures exhibit low cross-sectional efficiency, resulting in excessive steel usage and increased carbon emissions. In response, this study developed a carbon-reducing HC (Hybrid Composite) beam by cutting and reassembling conventional H-beams to enhance cross-sectional performance. The HC beam was applied to noise barrier posts and noise tunnel frames, and its structural performance was verified through both experimental testing and numerical analysis.
A total of 44 full-scale specimens were tested to evaluate bending, shear, buckling, and joint performance, while finite element analysis was conducted to investigate the structural behavior. Experimental results demonstrated that the HC beam exhibited approximately 1.56 times higher bending strength compared to conventional H-beams, with significantly reduced deflection for the same amount of steel, confirming the improvement in cross-sectional efficiency. All specimens also maintained a safety margin of over 5 % relative to design criteria in shear and buckling tests. Joint tests showed that minimal reinforcement was sufficient to satisfy performance requirements, and the column-roof connections achieved adequate strength without stiffening plates, enhancing constructability.
Full-scale noise tunnel experiments (24.3 m in length) confirmed that the HC beam system exceeded 5 % of the design ultimate load and maintained linear behavior under service loads. The segmental fabrication and bolted assembly approach improved transport and construction efficiency, demonstrating practical feasibility.
Economic analysis indicated that the HC beam could reduce steel usage by approximately 36% for the same design load, translating into a significant CO₂reduction per kilometer of noise barrier. Overall, the HC(A) beam structural system provides superior structural performance, economic efficiency, and constructability compared to conventional solutions. It shows high potential for application in a variety of infrastructure structures, including noise barriers and noise tunnels, and offers a viable technological alternative for carbon-reducing infrastructure development.