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Architectural acoustics
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{{Short description|Science and engineering of achieving a good sound within a building}} {{more citations needed|date=November 2009}} [[File:Symphony Hall Birmingham.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Symphony Hall, Birmingham]], an example of the application of architectural acoustics]] '''Architectural acoustics''' (also known as '''building acoustics''') is the science and engineering of achieving a good sound within a building and is a branch of [[acoustical engineering]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Morfey|first=Christopher|title=Dictionary of Acoustics|year=2001|publisher=Academic Press|pages=32}}</ref> The first application of modern scientific methods to architectural acoustics was carried out by the American physicist [[Wallace Sabine]] in the [[Fogg Museum]] lecture room. He applied his newfound knowledge to the design of [[Symphony Hall, Boston]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Sabine|first=Wallace Clement|title=Collected papers on acoustics|url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924015414331|year=1922|publisher=Harvard University Press}}</ref> Architectural acoustics can be about achieving good [[Intelligibility (communication)|speech intelligibility]] in a theatre, restaurant or railway station, enhancing the quality of music in a concert hall or recording studio, or suppressing noise to make offices and homes more productive and pleasant places to work and live in.<ref>{{cite book|last=Templeton|first=Duncan|title=Acoustics in the Built Environment: Advice for the Design Team|year=1993|publisher=Architectural Press|isbn=978-0750605380}}</ref> Architectural acoustic design is usually done by acoustic consultants.<ref>{{cite web|last=National Careers Service|title=Job profiles Acoustics consultant|url=https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/acousticsconsultant.aspx}}.</ref> == Building skin envelope == This science analyzes noise transmission from building exterior envelope to interior and vice versa. The main noise paths are [[roofs]], [[eaves]], [[wall]]s, [[window]]s, [[door]] and penetrations. Sufficient control ensures space functionality and is often required based on building use and local municipal codes. An example would be providing a suitable design for a home which is to be constructed close to a high volume roadway, or under the flight path of a major airport, or of the airport itself. == Inter-space noise control == The science of limiting and/or controlling noise transmission from one building space to another to ensure space functionality and speech privacy. The typical sound paths are ceilings, room partitions, acoustic [[ceiling]] panels (such as wood [[dropped ceiling]] panels), [[door]]s, [[window]]s, flanking, [[Duct (HVAC)|ducting]] and other penetrations. Technical solutions depend on the source of the noise and the path of [[acoustic transmission]], for example noise by steps or noise by (air, water) flow vibrations. An example would be providing suitable [[party wall]] design in an [[apartment complex]] to minimize the mutual disturbance due to noise by residents in adjacent apartments. Inter-space noise control can take a different form when talking about Acoustics in European football stadiums. One goal in stadium acoustics is to make the crowd as loud as possible and inter-space noise control becomes a factor but in helping reflect noise to create more reverberation and louder decibel level throughout the stadium. Many outdoor soccer stadiums for example have roofs over the fan sections which create more reverberation and echoing which helps raise the general volume in the stadium.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=2013-04-12|title=How do you give stadiums atmosphere?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22110898|access-date=2021-05-10}}</ref> == Interior space acoustics == {{Main|Room acoustics}} [[Image:quadratic diffusor.gif|thumb|right|Diffusers which scatter sound are used in some rooms to improve the acoustics]] This is the [[science]] of controlling a room's [[Surface science|surfaces]] based on sound absorbing and reflecting properties. Excessive [[reverberation time]], which can be calculated, can lead to poor speech intelligibility. [[File:Heichal Hatarbut1.jpg|thumb|Ceiling of [[Culture Palace (Tel Aviv)]] concert hall is covered with [[perforated metal]] panels]] Sound reflections create standing waves that produce natural resonances that can be heard as a pleasant sensation or an annoying one.<ref>Glen Ballou & Howards Sams, editors. "Handbook for Sound Engineers", page 56.</ref> Reflective surfaces can be angled and coordinated to provide good coverage of sound for a listener in a concert hall or music recital space. To illustrate this concept consider the difference between a modern large office meeting room or lecture theater and a traditional [[classroom]] with all hard surfaces. [[File:anechoic chamber.jpg|thumb|An [[anechoic chamber]], using acoustic absorption to create a ''dead'' space.]] Interior building surfaces can be constructed of many different materials and finishes. Ideal acoustical panels are those without a face or finish material that interferes with the acoustical infill or substrate. [[textile|Fabric]] covered panels are one way to heighten acoustical absorption. [[Perforated metal]] also shows sound absorbing qualities.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Stewart|first=William|title=Perforated metal systems as sound absorbing surfaces|year=2007|volume=February|url=http://www.ssaacoustics.com/newspublications/perforated%20metal%20systems%20as%20sound%20absorbative%20surf.pdf}}</ref> Finish material is used to cover over the acoustical substrate. Mineral fiber board, or [[Micore]], is a commonly used acoustical substrate. Finish materials often consist of fabric, wood or acoustical tile. Fabric can be wrapped around substrates to create what is referred to as a "pre-fabricated panel" and often provides good noise absorption if laid onto a wall. Prefabricated panels are limited to the size of the substrate ranging from {{convert|2|x|4|ft|m}} to {{convert|4|x|10|ft|m}}. Fabric retained in a wall-mounted perimeter track system, is referred to as "on-site acoustical wall panels". This is constructed by framing the perimeter track into shape, infilling the acoustical substrate and then stretching and tucking the fabric into the perimeter frame system. On-site wall panels can be constructed to accommodate door frames, baseboard, or any other intrusion. Large panels (generally, greater than {{convert|50|sqft|m2}}) can be created on walls and [[ceiling]]s with this method. Wood finishes can consist of punched or routed slots and provide a natural look to the interior space, although acoustical absorption may not be great. There are four ways to improve workplace acoustics and solve workplace sound problems β the ABCDs. *A = Absorb (via drapes, carpets, ceiling tiles, etc.) *B = Block (via panels, walls, floors, ceilings and layout) *C = Cover-up, or Control (background sound levels and spectra) (via masking sound) *D = [[Diffusion (acoustics)|Diffuse]] (cause the sound energy to spread by radiating in many directions) == Mechanical equipment noise == Building services noise control is the science of controlling noise produced by: *[[HVAC]] (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) systems *[[Elevator]]s *[[Electrical generator]]s positioned within or attached to a building *Any other building service infrastructure component that emits sound. Inadequate control may lead to elevated [[Sound intensity level|sound level]]s within the space which can be annoying and reduce speech intelligibility. Typical improvements are [[vibration isolation]] of mechanical equipment, and [[Sound Attenuators|sound attenuators]] in ductwork. [[Sound masking]] can also be created by adjusting HVAC noise to a predetermined level. == See also == {{Library resources box|by=no|onlinebooks=no|about=yes|wikititle=architectural acoustics}} *[[Noise health effects]] *[[Noise mitigation]] *[[Noise Reduction Coefficient]] *[[Noise regulation]] *[[Noise, vibration, and harshness]] *[[Sound transmission class]] == References == {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== * {{cite book |last1=Long |first1=Marshall |title=Architectural Acoustics |date=2006 |publisher=Elsevier |location=Amsterdam |isbn=978-01239-8-258-2 |pages=|series=Applications of Modern Acoustics |url=https://archive.org/details/ArchitecturalAcoustics_201901/mode/2up |ref=none}} * {{cite book |last1=Knudsen |first1=Vern Oliver |author1-link=Vern Oliver Knudsen |title=Architectural Acoustics |date=1932 |publisher=John Wiley and Sons Inc. |location=New York |isbn=|oclc=668379566 |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.239337 |ref=none}} * [[Emily Thompson|Thompson, Emily]] (2002). ''The Soundscape of Modernity: Architectural Acoustics and the Culture of Listening in America, 1900β1933''. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. {{Acoustics}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Acoustics]] [[Category:Building engineering]] [[Category:Building defects|Acoustic problems]] [[Category:Sound]]
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