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Wave Motion
Noise Control in
Architecture
[Teacher notes]
Organizer
Sponsor
Research Team
Contents
Preamble
Teaching plan
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03
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06
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Room Design
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Disclaimer
Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part
in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) do not reflect the
views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
2012 Hong Kong Institute of Architects
Topic 05
Noise Control in Architecture
Interdisciplinary teaching areas
Noise
Learning objectives
To distinguish noise from Sound Pressure Level
Teaching plan
Lesson
Lesson 1
Contents
1.1
Noise Control in
Architecture
1.2
1.3
What is Noise
1.3.4 Case study Noise control in Kwai Tsing Theatre
Teachers can refer to the video Noise Control in Architecture as introduction in the class.
For further references on Acoustic Design in architecture, please see Science Topic 6 Noise Control in
Architecture.
Lesson 1
Noise Control in Architecture
01
Lesson 1
Noise Control in Architecture
1.1 What is Noise?
In daily life, noise means unwanted sound. As you have no doubt
experienced, unwanted sounds can include distractions (your neighbour
playing the drums while you try to study), sounds that are loud enough to
damage hearing (construction sounds, concerts) and even sound leakage
that could affect privacy (overhearing a conversation through a door).
In architecture, one of the many goals of the designer is to create
rooms and buildings that maximize sound performance. This means that
unwanted sounds should be prevented, and desired sounds should be
enhanced.
Sound can be detected when the sound power imposes pressure on the receiver. Human ear is one
kind of receivers. Sound pressure is a scientific distinction from the more subjective loudness.
The higher the power a sound wave carries, the higher the sound pressure it is on the receiver. For
outdoor sound propagation, the relationship between sound pressure and sound power is distance
between sound source and receiver. For indoor sound propagation, the relationship between sound
pressure and sound power is room absorption. A loud noise usually has a larger pressure variation
and a weak one has smaller pressure variation.
Teaching Tips
Teachers can refer to the video Noise Control
in Architecture on website as an introduction
to class
Sound intensity is the measurement of sound power per unit area (Wm-2) therefore it can be used to
describe sound pressure. A logarithmic scale is used to represent different levels of sound pressure.
It is called sound Pressure Level (or Sound Intensity Level) and is defined as:
where,
L = Sound Pressure Level (dB);
I = Measured sound intensity (Wm-2); and
I0 = Standard sound intensity (Wm-2), the softest sound intensity that human ear can hear.
The standard reference of I0 is 10-12 Wm-2.
Noise is a subjective and relative perception, but Sound Pressure Level is a scientific measure of the
power of sound. Even if a sound source has a relatively low Sound Pressure Level, some individuals
might find a certain frequency of sound wave annoying because the human ear reacts differently to
different frequencies of sound (pitches) and the hearing sensitivity of individuals is subjective. Sound
Pressure Level can only be used as a standard to identify the volume of sound that could cause
hearing damage. It does not represent the exact perception of the sound to individuals.
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2
Science | Noise Control in Architecture
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1.
The sound of a planes engine is a kind of exterior airborne sound that may affect communities near
airports.
2.
The MTRs operating systems are quiet, but the vibration of the train rail generates exterior structure-
borne noise.
3.
In a gymnasium, cheering spectators may cause interior airborne noise to the surrounding rooms,
while the athletes activities generate interior structure-borne noise.
For outdoor sound propagation, the simple relationship between sound pressure and sound power is
distance between sound source and receiver. For indoor sound propagation, the simple relationship
between sound pressure and sound power is room absorption.
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Ticking of a watch
10
20
30
35-40
45-50
Decibel dB(A)
70
80
90
100
110
40-45
50-60
120
130
Flanking transmission of
sound
Flanking transmission is the
propagation of sound wave via
building elements. An air gap can
stop the transmission of sound
effectively.
(Source: Environmental Protection Department and VIPAC Engineers & Scientists Ltd.)
[Discussion]
1
04
[Media Corner]
When two layers of sound barriers are installed independently, the sound
resisting ability of the entire wall will be increased.
[Extended Knowledge]
The Sound Reduction Index of a material as it affects a specific frequency of sound can be found using the
following equation:
where,
SRI = Sound Reduction Index (dB);
m = The mass per unit area of the material (kgm-2); and
f = Frequency of the sound (Hz).
where,
SRI = Sound Reduction Index (dB);
Wi = Sound power incident on one side of a sound barrier (W); and
Wt = Sound power transmitted into the air on the side of the partition (W).
The sound insulation performance of any homogenous material depends mainly on its mass.
[Exercise]
Calculate the Appropriate Sound Insulating Performance for a Room Design
The school principal wants to convert one of the schools activity rooms into a meeting room. The meeting
room should be insulated from the noise of the nearby sports courts. He wishes the room to be well
insulated so that meetings conducted in the room will be kept confidential.
After going through the following statistics and materials, calculate the appropriate sound reduction level of
the noise control installation required. Suggest a suitable surface material for the room.
Sound
Sound
Sound
Sound
Pressure
Pressure
Pressure
Pressure
Level
Level
Level
Level
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Possible perspectives
Sound reduction required from the meeting room
= 45 - 35 dB = 10 dB
Sound reduction required from the nearby sports courts
= 70 - 25 dB = 45 dB
The wall of the meeting room should have a Sound Reduction Index ranging from 10 dB to 45 dB.
Teaching Tips
More information on:
Environmental concerns of building
envelopes under Science Topic 06 Calculation
and Application of OTTV and U-value;
Aesthetics of materials and textures under
Arts Topic 08 Visit: Ting Shui Wai Municipal
Services Building;
Considerations for school design under
Design and Applied Technology Topic 08
Design Project: Village School; and
[Discussion]
1
The school principal prefers using plywood as the wall surface. He comments that a glass wall is not
good for privacy but he wants to introduce natural lighting and ventilation to the new meeting room.
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Suggested Answer
A double-leaf plywood wall could be constructed with a row of double-glazed operable clerestory windows
for natural lighting and ventilation.
Double-glazing
An operable double-glazed window provides horizontally offset openings that allows natural ventilation
while preventing direct propagation of traffic noise. The narrow path between the double window panes
dissipates sound energy and lowers noise levels relatively.
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[Discussion]
Can you identify the noise sources and barriers in the images and trace the sound transmission
paths? Mark them on the following picture.
Secondary
Noise Barrier
Primary
Noise Barrier
Direct
transmission
Reflected by the
forest
Reflection on the
noise barrier
Direct transmission
through the barriers
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Photographs showing how the springs integrate with the structure of Kwai Tsing Theatre
VIPAC Engineers & Scientists (HK) Ltd
Noise-isolating springs
WAAGNER-BIRO AG
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Summary
1. Noise means unwanted sound. It is subject to human perception.
2. Sound can be detected when the sound power imposes pressure on the receiver. Sound pressure is
a scientific distinction from the more subjective loudness.
3. Sound intensity is the measurement of sound power per unit area (Wm-2). A logarithmic scale of
sound intensity is used to describe different levels of sound pressure, and is expressed as:
4.
5.
6.
7.
Noise control in architecture is dealing two sources of noise: airborne and structure-borne.
Two ways to control noise: reducing transmitted Sound Pressure Level and redirecting sound
transmission paths to the receivers.
Sound Reduction Index is used for the purpose of choosing the appropriate sound insulating
performance for a building. It indicates the degree of sound intensity reduction when a sound
wave passes through a material.
Noise barrier redirects noise transmitting paths to the receivers.
Key words
Noise
Decibel (dB)
Sound Pressure
Sound Pressure Level
Sound Intensity
Sound Reduction Index
Noise barrier
Further reading
1.
2.
Harris, Cyril M. Noise Control in Buildings: A Practical Guide for Architects and Engineers. New
York: McGraw-Hill, 1993.
3.
Neufert, Ernst and Peter. Neufert Architects Data. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012.
Organizer
Sponsor
Research Team
11