On the optimization of sonic crystal acoustic noise barriers.

Acoustic noise barriers based on sonic crystals constitute one of the most promising innovative bets of recent years in the field of environmental noise control. Sonic crystals are defined as metamaterials formed by periodic arrays of acoustic rigid scatterers embedded in a fluid (usually air). Furthermore, Helmholtz resonators can be added with the purpose of increasing the acoustic isolation of the barrier. Helmholtz resonances and multiple scattering are both noise control mechanisms of the sonic crystal noise barrier (SCNB). During the last decades several authors have different techniques to optimize the performance of these devices showing its huge potential. In this work we present new strategies with Particle Swarm Optimization in order to improve the performances of the approaches presented in the related literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]