Reyjohn B.
Miana
BSCE 3A
ASSIGNMENT
ACOUSTICAL CONTROL IN BUILDINGS
Acoustics is a science that deals with the production, control, transmission, reception, and effects of
sound. This includes the minimization of noise transmission from one space to another and the control
of the characteristics of sound within spaces themselves. Building acoustics is important for the
consideration of factors that affect the occupants and the functionality of the building and it must be
studied in order for the sounds created within spaces would not have negative effects.
Proper design of the building acoustics ensures that any potential problems regarding sound and noise
control are addressed such as privacy, health-related concerns, safety, and many more. While the
systems of any structure are essential, acoustical control must also be taken into consideration
especially during the planning phase. A building with good aesthetics and fully functional systems but
does not have good noise control may hinder its functionality. We know that noise often distracts,
disturbs, or even causes confusion; there may even be instances where unwanted sounds might cause
stress and anxiety and we need to make sure that the building is comfortable for the occupants.
Sound
Sound is caused by the vibrations which transmit through a medium such as air and reach
the ear or any receiver that can detect it.
Sound intensity is measured in Decibels (dB).
Sound pitch is measured in Hertz (Hz)
Reverberation time the time that it takes a sound made in a room to diminish to one millionth of its
original intensity
Sound Absorption is the loss of sound energy due to the sound waves being absorbed by materials
capable of doing such.
Sound Insulation reduces the transmission of sound
Sound is the feeling caused by the vibration of the air or other mediums. But when the sound is
not pleasing, it became unwanted which we refer as noise. Acoustic and noise plays an important role in
the construction of buildings and other structures.
Frequency (Pitch): written as Hertz or Hz, is the measurement of the tone or musical note of a sound. It
might have a high pitch like a flute might make (2000 Hz) or a low pitch as from a tubu Cas low as 29 Hz).
Wavelength: The wavelength of a sound wave is the distance between the start and end of a sound
wave cycle or the distance between two successive sound wave pressure peaks. It is equal to the speed
of sound in the material, such as air divided by the frequency of the sound wave.
Amplitude (Loudness): The amplitude of a sound wave is visually its height from bottom to top but is in
fact indicative of the strength of the energy in that wave. It is measured in decibels (dB), such that the
higher the dB rating, the more energy, and hence the louder the sound that we hear.
SOUND TRANSMISSION CLASS (STC)
Sound Transmission
Sound transmission is a common acoustic issue for it can be both airborne or structure borne vibration.
Airborne sound travels through the air and it can transmit through different materials. Also, it can pass
under doorways, through ventilation, under, over, through and around obstructions. The sound
becomes a noise when it reaches a room where it is unwanted. Noise from the outside surroundings can
transmit through the exterior structure of the building, such as that from automobiles, trains and
airplanes. On the other hand, noise from the interior surroundings. such as mechanical equipment or
speech can transmit from one room within a building to its adjacent place or space.
Sound transmission can cause noise control, confidentiality, and privacy issues. Most of the offices such
that of the counselors', lawyers', or human resource departments can't function in a space where sound
will transmit through the walls and into its adjacent spaces. If the sound transmission in a room or place
is not properly controlled, it will not provide privacy for the users.
Transmission Loss is a measurement of a partition's ability to block sound at a given frequency, or the
number of decibels that sound of a given frequency is reduced in passing through a partition. The basis
for determining partitions Sound Transmission Class is measuring transmission loss over a range of 16
different frequencies between 125-4000 112. 125-4000 Hz is consistent with the frequency range of
speech. The STC rating does not assess the low frequency sound transfer. Special consideration must be
given to spaces where the noise transfer concem is other than sneech such as mechanical exauinment or
music.
Transmission Loss is a measurement of a partition's ability to block sound at a given frequency, or the
number of decibels that sound of a given frequency is reduced in passing through a partition. The basis
for determining partitions Sound Transmission Class is measuring transmission loss over a range of 16
different frequencies between 125-4000 Hz. 125-4000 Hz is consistent with the frequency range of
speech. The STC rating does not assess the low frequency sound transfer. Special consideration must be
given to spaces where the noise transfer concern is other than speech, such as mechanical equipment or
music,
The Sound Transmission Class (STC), which is determined by ASTM F90, is a single-number rating of a
material's or an assembly's ability to resist airborne sound transfer at the frequencies 125-4000 Hz.
Generally, higher STC rating blocks more noise from transmitting through a partition. But even with a
high STC, penetration, air-gap, or flanking path can cause a serious damage to the isolation quality of a
wall. Flanking path are the means for the sound to travel from a place to another other than through the
walls. Sound can flank over, under or around the walls. Also, it can travel through common ductwork,
plumbing or corridors. STC is highly dependent on the construction of the partition. A partition's STC can
be increased by:
Adding mass
Increasing or adding air space
Adding absorptive material within the partition
Adding Mass
The weight or thickness of a partition is the major factor in its ability to block sound. For example, a thick
concrete wall will block more sound than a thin gypsum/2x4 wall. Mass is commonly added to existing
walls by adding additional layers of gypsum. When the mass of a barrier is doubled, the isolation quality
(or STC rating) increases by approximately 5 dB, which is clearly noticeable.
Increasing or Adding Air Space
An air space within a partition can also help to increase sound isolation. This, in effect creates two
independent walis. However, the STC will be much less than the sum of the STC for the individual walls.
The airspace can be increased or added to an existing partition. A common way to add an airspace is
with resilient channels and a layer of gypsum. An airspace of 14" will improve the STC by approximately
3 dB. An air space of 3" will improve the STC by approximately 6 dB. An airspace of 6" will improve the
STC by approximately 8 dB.
Adding Absorptive Material in the Partition
Sound absorptive material can be installed inside of a partition's air space to further increase its STC
rating. Installing insulation within a wall or floor/ceiling cavity will improve the STC rating by about 4-6
dB, which is clearly noticeable. It is important to note that often times. specialty insulations do not
perform any better than standard batt insulation.