International Organization for Standardization

Underwater acoustics - Measurement of radiated underwater sound from percussive pile driving - First Edition
 N 18406

Annotation

This document describes the methodologies, procedures, and measurement systems to be used for the measurement of the radiated underwater acoustic sound generated during pile driving using percussive blows with a hammer.

A major motivation for undertaking measurements of the sound radiated during percussive pile driving is as part of an assessment of impact on aquatic fauna required by regulatory frameworks. This document describes a generic approach to measurements that can be applied to different regulatory requirements.

This document is suitable for measurement of percussive pile driving undertaken for offshore installation of foundations (monopiles, jackets, tripods, etc.) used in construction of offshore wind farms, oil and gas platforms, and other inshore structures such as bridge foundations and aquatic renewable energy devices. This document does not cover measurement of the sound radiated by vibropiling or sheet piling. This document does not cover piling in water of depth less than 4 m or greater than 100 m.

The procedures described herein provide guidance on making measurements to satisfy the following objectives:

— to monitor source output during piling, for example, for regulatory purposes;

— to provide consistency in comparison of piling noise from different construction projects;

— for validation of modelling or predictions.

This document covers only the measurement of the sound field radiated during percussive pile driving. The scope of this document does not include the assessment of exposure metrics, or the use of exposure criteria. No attempt is made to prescribe a methodology for generating maps of the acoustic field in the vicinity of the source.