ARCHITECTURAL ACOUSTICS

ARCHITECTURAL ACOUSTICS

compiled & edited by Arch. Jenaro A. Villamor, uap

Definitions of ACOUSTICS:
1. branch of physics concerned with sound
2. deals with the production, control, transmission, reception, and effects of sound
Almost all acoustical situations are described in 3 parts (elements):
1. Sound Source ( e.g. human speech, HVAC equipment)
2. Transmission Path (e.g. air, earth, building materials)
3. Receiver (e.g. humans, animals, sensitive medical equipment)
ARCHITECTURAL ACOUSTICS
1. technology of designing spaces, structures and mechanical systems to meet hearing needs
2. effect of building design on the control of sound in buildings
3 Aspects of Acoustical Design in Buildings
1. Planning to keep noise sources as far as possible from quiet area
2. Internal acoustics of rooms
3. Structural precautions to reduce noise penetrations
Essential Elements of Architectural Acoustics:
1. Room Acoustics – the qualities or characteristics of a room, auditorium, or concert hall that determine the audibility of speech or fidelity of musical sound in it
• Cubic volume (and coupled spaces)
• Shape and proportion (length-to-width, height-to-width)
• Finishes (selection and placement)
• Audience layout ( floor slope, speaker-to-listener distances)
• Special treatment ( suspended reflectors, resonant absorbers, quadratic-residue diffusers)
2. Sound Isolation – the use of building materials and construction assemblies designed to reduce the transmission of airborne and structure-borne sound from one room to another or from the exterior to the interior of a building (Sound Insulation)
• Site noise characteristics (sound level, character, duration)
• Outdoor barriers, nearby buildings, vegetation, and earth berms
• Location of activities within buildings (zoning, buffer spaces)
• Background noise criteria (HVAC system, electronic)
3. Mechanical system noise and vibrations
• Equipment noise characteristics
• Location of mechanical equipment
• Vibration isolation ( springs, pads)
• Air duct and pipe treatment ( linings, mufflers, laggings)
• Background noise from air outlets (coordination with sound isolation)
4. Electronic sound systems
• System compatibility with room acoustics
• Loudspeaker selection, placement and orientation
• System components and controls
• Background masking (loudspeaker layout, sound spectra)