Clear solution for noise reduction
A combination of the right choice of glazing and a clever design has provided an expressway in Poland with a cutting-edge and innovative noise-absorbing tunnel.
The only one of its kind in Poland and one of just a handful in Europe, the tunnel was constructed using acoustic screens and barriers to reduce the noise generated by traffic on busier sections of the Armia Krajowa Route – part of a S8 express road rebuild project.
The glazed half-tunnel consists of lower-level absorbing panels and upper-level bird-safe panels, all of which had to meet specific noise-reduction (Rw = 39 dB) and safety requirements – as well as providing a special overprint to warn birds against hitting the glass.
The solution was Pilkington Insulight™ Protect double-glazed units, consisting of 6 mm clear toughened glass Pilkington Optifloat™ Clear T with 2 mm blue stripes screen-printed every 30 mm on the outside and laminated Pilkington Optilam™ 8,8 safety glass on the inside.
The inside pane of laminated glass, made of two sheets of glass and PVB, creates a sound barrier and ensures safety according to class P2A. In the event of a breakage, the PVB holds all the pieces of glass together. The outside pane of toughened glass has increased impact resistance qualities and can withstand loads caused by rain or snow. The required warning signs for birds were screen-printed on the glass prior to the toughening stage.
The chosen double-glazed units’ specification met the requirements in terms of noise reduction as well as safety of acoustic panels.