Delft University of Technology
Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering Transport Technology
L.R.A. Hogervorst Geluidsoverlast bij overslag van containers in de haven van Rotterdam.Een inventarisatie van de geluidsproblematiek. Literature survey, Report 91.3.2870.TT, Transport Engineering and Logistics.
The growth of industries in the Rotterdam area which increases the environmental problems due to noise nuisance, is in conflict with the growth of new housing estates.
A lot of space between industries and residential districts is not used since the Law for Noise nuisance prescribes a free zone around noise producing industries. The challenge is to reduce the noise of these industries in order to use this extra free space that arises and consequently create posibilities for further growth.
The objective of this report is to present an overview of this issue. In this report a common basis for further research planning is presented by giving a definition of noise. Furthermore a short description of the relevant laws is given. After that a global picture of the theory referring to the subject of reducing noise is presented. Finally the most important problems and opportunities for improvements in daily practice are described.
In order to reduce the noise nuisance of industries it is important to reduce the noise of the different sources which cause the noise, or the transferance of noise has to be reduced. This reducing of noise transferance can be achieved by two basic principles: Reflection (isolation) and dissipation (absorption). Reflection can be defined as the degree in which noise is reflected by a boundary between two media. Dissipation can be defined as the transformation of vibration energy (as a result of noise) into heat.
As a case study the noise nuisance of containerterminals in the port of Rotterdam has been studied. It appears to be that the most important sources of noise in a container gantry crane can be located around the rolling noise of the trolley and the engine room.
In other transportation machines the diesel engine and the hydraulic installation are the most important causes of noise.
One of the conclusions is that the noise of the trolley can be reduced by replacing the steel wheels by wheels made of synthetic material. Another conclusion is that the noise of the engine room can be reduced by the application of noise absorbing material on the walls, floor and ceiling of the room. Other equipment can be improved by a better housing of engines and hydraulic installations.
Thorough design and construction of all these modifications is essential in order to get a satisfying result. Further research is recommended to get a reliable picture of the result of each specific modification. Finally a cost benifit analysis is required before making the final decisions.
Reports on Transport Engineering and Logistics (in Dutch)
