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INVESTIGATION ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF NOISE LEVELS INDUCED BY

IMPACT PILING AT DIFFERENT SOIL CONDITIONS

Conference Paper · December 2017

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INVESTIGATION ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF NOISE LEVELS INDUCED BY

IMPACT PILING AT DIFFERENT SOIL CONDITIONS
W.K.N. Chandrasena1*, G.H.M.J. Subashi De Silva1
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineerin, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Srilanka
*Correspondence E-mail: kasthurinalin@gmail.com
Abstract: As a developing country, Sri Lanka experiences a lot of advantages and also
disadvantages of urbanization since last decade. Among the disadvantages, noise has become a
serious environmental problem. Hence construction noise must be considered as an essential
part of any development project. At development activities, noises are generated by different
sources including piling activities, which plays a significance role in the construction, although
it disturbs the environment. It is essential to investigate the characteristics of piling noise in
order to control the noise effectively. The objective of the current research is to investigate the
characteristics of noise from impact piling at different soil conditions. To measure the impact
piling noise levels, road development projects in Southern and Western provinces were
selected. The sound levels were measured by using noise level meter (SVAN_971) for the
duration of 3 minutes at 1.5m above the ground level during day time (6.00am to 6.00pm).
Measured average noise levels without piling was 64.5dB, whereas measured Lmin value was 67
dB at 15m distance from the source. The maximum recorded noise level when the piles are
driven in hard soil condition was 108.76 dB (Leq = 95.8 dB) that for the soft soil condition was
95.1 dB (Leq=90.65 dB). Both are considerably larger than the noise levels that specified in
standards. Magnitudes (dB) of measured noises significantly varied in the frequency band from
400Hz to 2500Hz range. Two equations that can be used to predict noise levels induced by
piling at two different soil conditions are formulated and presented in this paper.
Keywords: Impact piling noise; Noise Characteristics; Soil conditions; standards

1. Introduction them shock noise is relevant to rock blasting

Sri Lanka is a developing country. As a
result, urbanization is all over the country.
Urbanization is associated with large scale
constructions. There are lot of construction
activities, which are in construction projects,
generate environmental noise. Noise is a
word which was derived from the Latin
word ”nau-sea” implying unwanted sound
or sound that is loud (Singh & Davar.2004).
This means it was not a problem which was
generated few years ago and it was not
unique for special areas because
construction are spread all over the country.
Prior to the industrial revolution less
number of people were exposed to higher
noise levels because of less number of
industrial activities.
Two parameters which are represented
fundamental characteristics of noise are
sound pressure level (dB) and frequency
(Hz). According to frequency spectrum, the
construction noise can be divided into three
categories: discrete frequency noise,
broadband noise and shock noise. Among
and pile driving activities (Dedigama et
al.2013)
Piling is a process, which generates
relatively large noise at construction field. It
can be affected to hearing hypertension,
sleep disturbances, reduction of
performances of workers, and alter social
behaviours and irregular heartbeat for
human (Lissan et al.2016).
Piling can be classified as bored piling and
impact piling. Impact piling uses in urban
areas where there is no accessibility to
handle bored piling machines. However,
impact piling (Figure 1) is more adverse for
human than bored piling because high noise
and vibration are generated (Lissan et
al.2016). Piling induced noise disrupted the
standard of living in the affected area,
especially because impact pilling is time
consuming compared to bored piling.
Hence the influence from impact piling to
humans is comparatively large. In order to
reduce the effect of noise on residence (or
occupants), the amount of noise level

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reaches to surrounding residences is (6.00am to 6.00pm) and 1.5m above the

necessary to determine or predict. Any
method to predict the environmental noise
induced by pilling will be helpful for project
management to control the bad effects of
noise, although it has been rarely focused in
previous studies.
ground level (Figure 4). Basically four noise
level descriptors (Leq, Lmax, Lmin, Lpeak) were
recorded during noise level survey. Svan PC
++ software was used to analyse the data.

Figure 1: Operating an Impact Piling

machine Figure 2: SVAN_971 Sound level meter
The objectives of the research were to
investigate the fundamental characteristics
of impact piling noise with different soil
conditions and to formulate equations to
predict the amount of noise level reaches to
surrounding residences at various distances.
2. Methodology
Methodology includes selection of impact
piling sites, measuring the noise, comparing
the measurements with the standards,
derivation of equations to predict the noise
levels.
2.1 Site selection
Road construction sites, in Western and
Southern provinces were selected. These Figure 3: Noise measured in radially at
areas were selected because urbanization different distances
and population density were higher than
other regions. Hence the effect of piling
noise to the people is comparatively higher
than that in rural areas.
2.2 Measuring the noise
The measurements of impact piling noise
were carried out by SVAN_971 sound level
meter (figure 2) on radially at 5m, 10m and
15m distances from the centre of the pile. It
was carried out on three directions (Figure
3) to increase the accuracy of the readings.
Sound measurements were carried out on
three minute period during day time Figure 4: Measuring noise

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2.3 Comparing with standards

95
Maximum permissible noise levels in
construction activities recommended in the
National Environment Act, no.47 (1980) 90
standards are listed in Table 1.

Noise Level (dB)

85

Table 1: Maximum permissible noise level at

boundaries in construction areas 80

Day time Leq Night time Leq

75
75 dB 50 dB

Measured noise levels are compared with 70

above standards. Then it can be identified
that these construction activities are
exceeded the permissible limits.
2.4 Prediction of noise
Six piles at hard soil and six piles at soft soil
were observed for the data collection.
Measured noise level descriptors were
averaged according to distance from the
source and drafted. Equations were
determined for Leq and Lmax by curve fitting
with the measured data. According to
determined equations Leq and Lmax noise
levels can be predicted for any distance.
3. Results and Discussion
3.1 Noise level variation in different soil
conditions
Table 2 shows the noise level variation in
impact piling with soft soil and hard soil
conditions at 15m distance from the centre of
the pile.
Table 2: Noise level variation at 15m distance in
different soil conditions
Soil Lpeak Lmax Lmin
Condition (dB) (dB) (dB)
Soft soil 101.5 83.93 72.35
111.38 98.55 75.39
Hard soil
Behaviour of both soil conditions are shown in
Figure 5. According to Figure 5 it shows that
the recorded data symmetrically spreads
around the mean value and can be reasonably
fitted by Gaussian distribution. The average
equivalent noise level varying range is ± 2dB.
4 9 14
Distance (m)
leq for hard soil leq for soft soil
Log. (leq for hard soil) Log. (leq for soft soil)
Figure 5: Equivalent noise level variation in
soft and hard soil
The equivalent noise level variation in the
soft and hard soil conditions can be
predicted by using Equations (1) and (2).
The squared correlation coefficients (R2) for
soft soil and hard soil are 0.998 and 0.967,
respectively.
When piling at hard soil
( ) (1)
When piling at soft soil
( ) (2)
Where, NLeq is the predicted equivalent
Leq (dB) noise level and x is the distance from the
source.
77.41 Figure 6 explains the maximum noise level
variation for soft and hard soil conditions.
84.43
The average maximum noise level varying
range is ± 3dB. Most of the time noise
related health effects are occurred due to
contribution of maximum noise level.
Therefore it is essential to analyse the
maximum noise level variation for
predicting the maximum noise level at any
distance. The maximum noise level

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variation in the soft and hard soil conditions Lisan et al, (2016) proposed equations (7)
can be predicted by using Equations (3) and and (8) for the hard and soft soil conditions,
(4). which are similar with the equations
derived in this study (Equations 1 and 2).
110
Hard soil
105 ( ) (7)
Soft soil
100
Noise Lvel (dB)

( ) (8)
95 Figure 7 shows the variation of noise level
descriptors with time. It clearly indicates
90 impact piling produces impulsive noises.
Different colour lines indicate the variation
85 of Lpeak, Lmax, Leq and Lmin values.

80
4 9 14
Lpeak Lmax Leq Lmin
Distance (m)
Max for hard soil
Max for soft soil
Log. (Max for hard soil)
Log. (Max for soft soil)

Figure 6: Maximum noise level variation in

soft and hard soil
When piling at hard soil
( ) (3) Figure 7: Behaviour of impact piling noise
descriptors at 15m distance in hard soil

When piling at soft soil Figure 8 shows the histogram of sound

pressure levels which is generated by
( ) (4) impact piling for the hard soil condition.
Where NLmax is the predicted maximum According to Figure 8 frequently generated
noise level and x is the distance from the noise levels varied between 76Hz to 88Hz.
source.
The above equations fitted by Gaussian
distribution with squared correlation of R2=
0.953 and 0.996 for hard soil and soft soil
conditions. Previous research study (Lisan
et al 2016) suggested two equations (i.e.,
Equations (5) and (6)) to predict the noise
level variation in bored and impact piles.
But this study focused only impact piling
with different soil conditions.
Impact piling dB
Figure 8: Histogram of sound pressure level for
( ) (5)
hard soil condition
Bored piling
Figure 9 shows the histogram of sound
( ) (6) pressure levels which is generated by
impact piling for the soft soil condition.

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According to Figure 9 frequently generated (Table 1). It seems that all the noise levels
noise levels varied between 68Hz to 78Hz. measured exceeded the permissible values
(Figure 11).

100

Noise level (dB)

95
maximum
90
85
80 equivalent
75
70 permissible
1 2 3 4 value
Piles in hard soil

Figure 11: Measured impact piling noise

levels in hard soil at 15m distance from the
source
dB Figure 12 shows the noise levels measured
in soft soil condition at 15m distance.
Figure 9: Histogram of sound pressure level
for soft soil condition
100
Figure 10 illustrate the 1/3 octave frequency
Noise level (dB)

95
spectrum for the both soil conditions. 90 maximum
According to Figure 10, it clearly shows the 85
frequencies which were generated by 80 equvalent
impact piling significantly varied between 75
400Hz to 2500Hz range. 70 Permissible
1 2 3 4 value
piles in soft soil

Figure 12: Measured impact piling noise

400 2500 (Hz)
Figure 10: Frequency spectrum for the
impact piling noise.
3.2 Comparison of measured noise levels with
permissible values
Permissible values depend on site background
like commercial areas, industrial areas, noise
sensitive areas etc. Figure 11 shows measured
noise levels in hard soil condition at 15 m
distance from the source. Permissible value for
the relevant area is 75 dB (Construction area)
levels in soft soil at 15m distance from the
source
4. Conclusions
This paper presented an investigation of
characteristics of noise induced by impact
piling in hard and soft soil conditions.
During the hard soil drilling, generated
noise levels are significantly higher (84.43
dB) that that in the soft soil drilling. The
frequency range of generated noise
significantly varied between 400Hz to
2500Hz. Most of noise levels prevailing due
to impact piling are above the permissible
noise level for the construction projects at
urban areas during day time (6.00am to
6.00pm). The equations derived in the
current study can be used to predict the

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impact piling induced noise levels at far

field (i.e., at residential areas).

References
Singh,N.,& Davar,S.C.,2004,’Noise Pollution-
Sources, Effects and Control’, J.Hum.Ecol,
16(3):181-187, Department of Commerce,
Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra
136119, Haryana, India.
Dedigama, K.N.H., Premarathna,S.M.P.S.,
Subashi De Silva,.G.H.M.J.S, De
Silva,.G.S.Y. & Jayasundara, N.D., 2013,
‘Investigation of Natural Material to
Reduce Industrial Noise’, SBE-12-78.
Lisan,K.M., Subashi De Silva ,G.H.M.J. & De
Silva ,G.S.Y., 2016, ‘Investigation on
Characteristics of Noise Generated by
Piling Activities’, Sustainable Built
Environment: 7th International Conference,
Earl’s Regency Hotel, Kandy, Sri lanka,
December 16-18, 2016, PP 235.
Sri Lankan General Government, The National
Environment Act, No.47 of 1980 924/12 The
National Environment Act, No.47 of 1980.

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