Panel section for sound barrier

1. In a panel section for use in a sound barrier for acoustical attenuation of a sound source, said panel section having a cementitious body portion; for use with at least two vertically-extending, ground-mounted I-beam columns, each such column having two parallel flanges and a transverse web extending therebetween and being positioned such that its web is substantially parallel to the web of each adjacent column and is substantially normal to a notional wall line defined by said columns; and disposed, in use, in respective vertically-stacked groupings to form one or more wall panels interleaved between adjacent pairs of columns, each wall panel having a pair of end edges disposed, one each, in mechanically-engaged relation, between the parallel flanges of a respective pair of adjacent columns;

the improvement comprising:

the body portion having defined therethrough a window opening for permitting light transmission through said sound barrier in use;

a glazing element adapted for light transmission; and

fastening means for securing said glazing element to said body portion to occlude said window opening and to impede the passage of sound therethrough;

wherein said body portion has a glaze receiving surface peripherally surrounding said window opening against which the periphery of the glazing element is operatively abutted; and

wherein the fastening means is secured to said body portion in opposed, spaced relationship to the glaze receiving surface, such that said glazing element is bounded on one side by said fastening means, and on its opposite other side by said glaze receiving surface, to retain said glazing element in operative abutment with said glaze receiving surface.

2. An improvement according to claim 1 , wherein the body portion includes a first layer and a second layer joined as two laminae, and is orientated with the first layer facing said sound source in use.

3. An improvement according to claim 2 , wherein said first layer comprises mineralized fibrous material blended with cement and said second layer comprises a fine aggregate concrete.

4. An improvement according to claim 3 , wherein the mineralized fibrous material blended with cement comprises mineralized and neutralized organic fibrous material blended with Portland cement.

5. An improvement according to claim 1 , further comprising a gasket encasing the periphery of said glazing element, said gasket abutting the glaze-receiving surface to provide for said operative abutment of the periphery of the glazing element and the glaze-receiving surface.

6. An improvement according to claim 5 , wherein the fastening means comprises a locking frameworks with said locking framework being secured to said body portion and positioned to mechanically retain, in sandwiching relation, in combination with the glaze-receiving surface, the gasket and the periphery of said glazing element encased thereby.

7. An improvement according to claim 6 , wherein the locking framework is releasably secured to said body portion.

8. An improvement according to claim 6 , wherein the locking framework comprises a pair of square tubes secured to said body portion to mechanically retain, in sandwiching relation, in combination with the glaze-receiving surface, side edge portions of said glazing element and portions of the gasket contiguous therewith, and a pair of angles secured to said body portion to mechanically retain, in sandwiching relation, in combination with the glaze-receiving surface, vertically-spaced upper and lower edge portions of said glazing element and portions of the gasket contiguous therewith.

9. An improvement according to claim 1 , wherein the glazing element is an acrylic sheet.

10. An improvement according to claim 1 , wherein the glazing element is translucent.

11. An improvement according to claim 1 , wherein the glazing element is transparent.

12. In a sound barrier having

at least two vertically-extending, ground-mounted I-beam columns, each such column having two parallel flanges and a transverse web extending therebetween and being positioned such that its web is substantially parallel to the web of each adjacent column and is substantially normal to a notional wall line defined by said columns; and

a plurality of panel sections disposed in respective vertically-stacked groupings to form one or more wall panels interleaved between adjacent pairs of columns, each wall panel having a pair of end edges disposed, one each, in mechanically-engaged relation, between the parallel flanges of a respective pair of adjacent columns,

the improvement comprising:

at least one of said wall panel sections being an improved panel section including

a cementitious body portion having defined therethrough a window opening for permitting the passage of light through said sound barrier;

a glazing element adapted for light transmission; and

fastening means for securing said glazing element to said body portion to occlude said window opening and to impede the passage of sound therethrough;

wherein said body portion has a glaze receiving surface peripherally surrounding said window opening against which the periphery of the glazing element is operatively abutted; and

wherein the fastening means is secured to said body portion in opposed, spaced relationship to the glaze receiving surface, such that said glazing element is bounded on one side by said fastening means, and on its opposite other side by said glaze receiving surface, to retain said glazing element in operative abutment with said glaze receiving surface.