Full-Scale Testing and Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of a Fully Precast Noise Barrier Wall System

Full-scale experimental testing in civil engineering is crucial in ensuring infrastructure projects' safety, reliability, and performance. It helps validate designs, assure safety, allow new innovations to be implemented, and provide empirical data for research and development, thus ultimately contributing to the advancement and sustainability of the field. The structural behavior of a novel fully prefabricated noise barrier wall system was examined experimentally. The wall components and connectivity details were developed to be a totally precast system for fast-track construction. Two 17 ft (5.18 m) high, 11 ft (3.35 m) wide full-scale prototypes were designed, fabricated, assembled, and prepared for full-scale testing at the High-Bay Structural Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Each prototype was instrumented with about 40 sensors, including strain gages, linear variable differential transducers (LVDTs), and crack meters at pre-identified critical locations essential for understanding its structural behavior. The structural behavior of the wall system was analyzed in terms of the load-deflection curves, load-strain curves, cracking, uplift, and failure mode. The experimental results revealed that the wall system was structurally stable up to a high loading level and met the intended serviceability and strength requirements. Importantly, each wing of the proposed wall system encountered a load of approximately 1350 lbs. (6.01 kN) under a service limit state wind pressure of 15 psf. (0.56 kN/m2). The deflection limit is L/240 = 0.675 in. (17.2 mm). The average experimental deflection measured at this service limit was approximately 0.125 in. (3.17 mm), indicating that this limit has been met. The steel section embedded within the integral column demonstrated its ability to withstand high loads while remaining in the elastic range. The experimental results proved that the proposed wall system can maintain its integrity up to a high loading level, and retains almost its original shape upon unloading with minimal permanent deformation. NLFEA validation is a critical step in civil engineering field studies, helping to reduce cost and time-consuming full-scale experimental testing. Therefore, a 3D NLFEA model of the wall system prototype was developed for future refinement and adjustment of the noise barrier wall system components. The developed model showed its capability of simulating the overall response of the noise barrier wall system under the service and strength limit states with acceptable accuracy. Comprehensive parametric studies were carried out following the thorough calibration and validation of the developed NLFEA model of the noise barrier wall system components. These studies delved into the impact of several crucial variables, such as the size of the integral columns, the type of steel section, the presence of the gap, and the embedment length of the steel section. The findings from the parametric analysis contributed to the continued optimization of the noise barrier wall system, offering valuable insights into potential cost reductions. This paved the way for forthcoming full-scale experimental testing, encompassing the examination of an entire stretch of the noise wall barrier system with attached panels. Moreover, the validated structural prowess of the innovative noise barrier wall system advances safety and sustainability within civil engineering. It also promotes enhanced urban living through lowered acoustic emissions, augmenting overall habitability. This underscores the immediate positive impacts this research can deliver to communities and cities globally.