Noise control measures are indispensable in deconstruction, demolition, rock cutting/processing and industrial deconstruction. They reduce noise emission, protect health, and mitigate impacts on the surroundings. In practice, the topic ties directly to the choice of low-noise methods and tools. Where conventional impact tools generate high noise peaks, hydraulic, low-vibration methods—such as hydraulic rock and concrete splitters and crushing with concrete pulverizers—often enable a much quieter execution. In projects across the application areas of concrete demolition and special demolition, gutting works and cutting, rock breakout and tunnel construction, natural stone extraction and special operations, noise control measures are therefore an integral part of planning, equipment selection, and construction logistics.
Definition: What is meant by noise control measure
A noise control measure is any organizational, technical, or structural action that aims to reduce noise emissions at the source, limit sound propagation, or reduce noise immissions at the sensitive location. This includes low-noise work methods, shielding, enclosures, damping, decoupling, optimized construction site workflows, and informing those affected. In construction practice this includes, for example, using concrete pulverizers instead of percussive tools, using stone and concrete splitters in rock or concrete, enclosing hydraulic power packs, setting up mobile noise barrier walls, and temporally controlling noise-intensive work steps. The goal is a holistic concept that considers airborne and structure-borne sound equally and reconciles the requirements of occupational safety and neighborhood compatibility.
Basics of construction site noise: types of sound and transmission paths
On construction sites and in extraction, noise arises mainly from airborne sound (e.g., engine and process noise) as well as from structure-borne sound and vibrations (e.g., during impact operations or stiff couplings). Airborne sound propagates freely and is reduced by shielding, enclosures, and distance. Structure-borne sound travels through components and subsoil; it is reduced primarily by decoupling, soft intermediate layers, and, procedurally, by low-vibration methods. In demolition and deconstruction this means: prefer shear cutting, crushing, or splitting over impact operations; instead of un-enclosed units, use targeted enclosure and orient radiation away from sensitive areas.
Sound sources and mechanisms on the construction site
Typical sound sources are drives (hydraulic power packs), processes (cutting, crushing, splitting), material contact (impact, friction, cavitation and flow noise), and logistical workflows. The dominance of individual sources depends on the construction task, material, and environment. Slender, high-strength components often exhibit pronounced resonances; massively reinforced concrete damps high-frequency components but generates strong low frequencies during impact processing. The implication: the softer the process kinematics (continuous pressure instead of impulse), the better the acoustic behavior.
Structure-borne sound and vibrations
Structure-borne sound couples in via hard supports or rigid equipment mounts and manifests as droning, humming, or as perceptible vibration. Measures include decoupling power packs via elastic bearings, using rubber or PU mats under machines, avoiding rigid-to-rigid contact surfaces, and, procedurally, using concrete pulverizers and stone and concrete splitters that reduce impulse hardness.
Airborne sound and high-frequency components
Airborne sound is generated by engines, fans, exhaust flows, and process noise. Effective measures are enclosures for hydraulic power units, shielding using mobile noise barrier walls, orienting the open side of enclosures away from sensitive areas, streamlined silencers, and reducing splitting noise through steady feed rates and sharp cutting edges on steel shears, tank cutters, and multi cutters.
Low-noise methods in concrete demolition and rock breakout
In noise-sensitive environments, the choice of method is decisive. Hydraulic crushing and splitting processes operate significantly more quietly than breaker hammers. Concrete pulverizers crush concrete in a controlled manner; stone and concrete splitters as well as stone splitting cylinders initiate cracking without explosive impulses. These methods fit the application areas of concrete demolition and special demolition, gutting works and cutting, rock breakout and tunnel construction, as well as natural stone extraction and special operations, for example in the immediate vicinity of sensitive infrastructure.
Targeted use of concrete pulverizers
Concrete pulverizers develop high pressing forces with low impulse hardness. For low-noise workflows, components are often first segmented by separation cuts and then removed with the concrete pulverizer. Advantages include low noise peaks and reduced structure-borne sound input. For heavily reinforced cross-sections, a coordinated sequence with pre-cuts and, where appropriate, supplementary steel shears is useful to minimize friction and squeal noises. The continuous bite reduces uncontrolled fractures; water during pre-cutting additionally damps dust and high-frequency side noises.
Stone and concrete splitters as low-vibration technology
Stone and concrete splitters generate high static stresses via hydraulically actuated wedges and initiate cracks on defined planes. Because no impact energy is introduced, noise and vibration decrease. Hydraulic power packs can be placed remotely, enclosed, or positioned behind shielding, while splitting cylinders generate only minor noise in the engagement area. This approach is particularly suitable in tunnels, at hospitals, in heritage contexts, and in natural stone extraction when vibrations and noise must be strictly limited.
Technical measures: damping, shielding, enclosing
Technical noise control measures complement the choice of method. They act at the source, along the path, and at the receiver and can be combined. The more precisely the sound source is identified, the more targeted the mitigation can be.
- Enclosures and mobile noise barrier walls around hydraulic power packs, oriented with the open side facing away from the immission site.
- Elastic decoupling of power packs and equipment using rubber or PU mats and vibration-isolated bearings.
- Reduction of flow and exhaust noise by suitable silencers and large, slow-running fans inside enclosures.
- Secure tool condition: sharp cutting edges on steel shears, tank cutters, and multi cutters; well-guided wedges on stone splitting cylinders.
- Lay hose lines without tension and operate with low pulsation; avoid leaks to reduce whistling and hissing noises.
- Use natural shielding (existing structures, earth berm) and orient the work area so that direct sound paths are interrupted.
Organizational measures and workflow planning
Organization is often the greatest lever for noise reduction measures. It bundles noise-intensive steps, defines time windows, and optimizes distances. A smart workflow not only lowers levels, but also reduces complaints and improves working conditions.
- Survey: construction task, protection needs of the surroundings, sound sources, and resonance risks.
- Method and equipment selection: prioritize low-noise processes such as concrete pulverizers or stone and concrete splitters, supplemented as needed by steel shears, tank cutters, or multi cutters.
- Construction site layout: set power packs remotely, decouple traffic routes, and place temporary noise barrier walls strategically.
- Sequence control: bundle noise-intensive steps, observe quiet times, and sequence pre-cutting and sizing sensibly.
- Monitoring and adjustment: observe, document, and refine measures if anomalies appear.
Targeted reduction of hydraulic power packs as a sound source
Hydraulic power packs are indispensable but often dominant sound sources. Effective mitigation combines location choice, enclosure, and load control. Major impact comes from placing them far from sensitive areas, behind obstacles or temporary walls. Enclosures with sufficient fresh-air routing reduce airborne sound; elastic bearings reduce structure-borne sound. A steady power output avoids unnecessary speed jumps. Where possible, electric drives are preferable to louder combustion engines; where internal combustion is unavoidable, streamlined silencers, low fan speeds, and regular maintenance help.
Noise control in special application areas
Interior demolition, gutting works, and cutting
Indoors, reflections and structure-borne sound are stronger. Concrete pulverizers reduce impulse noise when removing slab thicknesses and wall segments. Pre-cutting with a saw or core drill relieves the pulverizer and shortens the process, lowering overall emission. Mobile noise barrier walls separate work and occupied areas; machines stand on decoupling mats. Transport routes use low-noise rollers and damping underlays.
Rock breakout and tunnel construction
Underground, sound levels are amplified by confinement and reflections. Stone and concrete splitters and stone splitting cylinders are acoustically advantageous here because they operate without impact energy. Hydraulic power packs are set up outside the portal or in side rooms and enclosed. Logistical processes are bundled to avoid temporal peaks; ventilation is executed with low turbulence.
Natural stone extraction
In natural stone extraction, noise and vibrations are sensitive issues. Splitting methods enable quiet separation cuts along natural joints. Sound radiation can be further reduced through distance, topographic shielding, and enclosed power packs. Maintenance of wedges and clean borehole geometry minimize friction and crack noises.
Special operations
In areas with special requirements—such as in the immediate vicinity of sensitive facilities or when working on tanks and vessels—precise, controlled methods are required. Steel shears, tank cutters, and multi cutters are operated with steady feed to avoid squeal; power packs are enclosed and vibration-decoupled. Communication and tight sequencing keep noise peaks short.
Occupational safety and hearing protection in the context of noise control measures
Noise control measures target not only the surroundings but also the protection of employees. During noise-intensive phases, appropriate hearing protection must be provided, break areas are kept quiet, and workplaces are staffed in rotation. Instruction in low-noise operation—such as steady engagement of concrete pulverizers or controlled splitting—promotes a calm working style. Legal requirements must be observed; specific limit and trigger values are reviewed for the project and implemented organizationally.
Guide to selecting a low-noise method
The choice of method is guided by material, boundary conditions, and surroundings. The aim is a combination of low impulse hardness, short exposure time, and controlled crack or cut guidance.
- Heavily reinforced concrete: concrete pulverizers with pre-cuts; additionally steel shears for reinforcement.
- Non- or lightly reinforced concrete and natural stone: stone and concrete splitters or stone splitting cylinders for low-vibration, quiet separation.
- Massive steel, tanks, and pipelines: hydraulic demolition shears or tank cutters with sharp cutting edges and steady feed.
- Mixed deconstruction tasks: multi cutters or combination shears with jaw geometry adapted to the task.
As a rule: low-noise methods first, supported logistically by shielding, enclosure, and precise sequencing.
Documentation and communication
A concise noise control concept includes the description of sound sources, the intended measures, responsibilities, and workflows. Documentation helps check progress and make adjustments. Open communication with project participants and those affected supports acceptance—especially when noise-intensive steps are announced and temporally compressed. This creates reliable, quiet working conditions and a smooth process.