A grocery loading dock brought below 45 dBA

Context

The Super C commercial development on Belvédère Sud Street in Sherbrooke required noise mitigation for delivery operations.

The loading dock is located directly beside a residential neighbourhood.

The main identified noise sources were:

• delivery trucks
• backup alarms
• trailer refrigeration units

Acoustic simulations showed that permitted thresholds would be exceeded without mitigation measures.

The solution implemented

Ramo designed, fabricated, and installed a double-sided absorptive debarked-willow noise barrier. The system is based on:

• a galvanized steel support structure
• absorptive panels with a mineral-wool acoustic core
• an exterior debarked-willow facing

This newer version of the Pilebyg^® Classic system typically includes galvanized HSS posts, acoustic-core panels, a willow finish, and metal coping.

The wall works mainly through absorption and reduced sound transmission.

Aerial view of the Pilebyg^® Classic wall at the Super C in Sherbrooke's Belvédère Sud sector.

Results and performance

The acoustic study concluded that an additional 3.5 m barrier would make it possible to meet the 45 dBA regulatory criterion during the daytime period.

The system works through

• acoustic absorption
• a barrier effect

The Pilebyg^® Classic wall along the edge of the asphalted loading-dock area at the Super C in Sherbrooke.

Co-benefits

View from the residential side: the acoustic barrier protects the neighbourhood from Super C delivery operations.

Willow-larch facing on Belvédère Sud Street, with a finish adapted to the commercial and residential context.