Acoustics

Course No. Arch5251

Instructors: Dawit Melaku (MSc. In Advanced Architecture)
 Lecture 1

Introduction to Architectural Acoustics

 Contents
-Introduction
-Causes For Acoustic
Problems
-Basic theory of sound

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Introduction
Contents
Acoustics: branch of Science that deals with the study of Introduction
Sound Causes For Acoustic Problems
Basic theory of sound

Architectural Acoustics: The application of knowledge of

Acoustics in architecture

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Introduction

Causes For Acoustic Problems

Urbanization and Technology

- Urban way of life (people and machineries)

- Land value and dense living

- Mixed use function (building, Neighborhood)

- Planning paradigm?

- Motorized transportation

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Introduction

The two tasks of architectural acoustics are:

- Provide good hearing environment and satisfactory quality
Room Acoustics Design
- Reduce, insulate and control the sound undesired to create
a quiet environment
Noise control, Noise protection
- From ambient sources, adjacent rooms
from the room itself, step sound coming from the room above and
from noise transmission through construction parts

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Introduction
Room Acoustics Design
- Main aim of room acoustic design is to provide
evenly distributed noise field with good listening
conditions, and satisfactory quality at every seat.
This is done by applying different absorbing and
reflecting surfaces in appropriate geometry.

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Basic theory of sound

SOUND:
- is a vibration in an elastic medium such as air, water, and solid.
- is a form of energy whose sensation is produced by stimulation of the
auditory nerves of the ear by any vibrating body.
- is a sensation produced in the ear and brain by variations in the
pressure of the air.
- These pressure variations transfer energy from a source of vibration.

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Basic theory of sound

Common physical properties of SOUND, HEAT, LIGHT

- Form of energy
- Wave motion
Light and heat ---Electromagnetic wave
Sound-------------- Mechanical wave
- Reflection, Absorption, Transmission

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Basic theory of sound

Sound propagation /transmission

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Basic theory of sound

Character of Sound Wave motion:

- Directional
- Longitudinal
- Spherical divergence
- Non-electromagnetic
- Wave length, Frequency, Velocity
- Simple harmonic & Complex sounds

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Basic theory of sound

Character of Sound Wave motion:

- Frequency is the rate of repetition of a periodic event (cycle per second or hertz)

- Period is the time required for one complete cycle (Second)

-The greater the # of cycles the higher the frequency

-High frequency- high pitch

-Frequency range is divided into sections called bands

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Basic theory of sound

Velocity of a sound
Velocity (V) is the distance moved per sec in a fixed direction.
V =λ/T =λx 1/T =λxƒ
V =λxƒ, relation for ideal situation

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Basic theory of sound

The speed of sound in different fields

- Rate of transfer of energy through a medium Depends on physical property of a medium
- Faster in solid than any other media
- Depends on Atmospheric effect (free field)
- Increases with temperature and humidity
At oºc, Va = 332m/sec, for every 1ºc increase Va
increases by 0.6m/sec
- In building materials the speed of sound depends on density or elasticity than temperature change.

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Basic theory of sound

The speed of sound in different fields

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Basic theory of sound

Sound transmission :Free field Vs Enclosure

- Reflection, Absorption, & Transmission
- Diffraction
- Interference

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Basic theory of sound

The quantity of reflected/absorbed/ transmitted sound depends on:

- Nature of surface (Texture, Angle..)
- Degree of change in density
- Elasticity
- Mass law – weight/ unit area
- Frequency of incident sound

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Basic theory of sound

DIFFRACTION &SOUND SHADOW

- Is the bending of sound wave

- Creation of sound shadow

High frequencies= less diffracted

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Basic theory of sound
MEASURING SOUND ENERGY:

Sound level= strength, loudness

Measured in terms of pressure or intensity

-Sound pressure (p):measured by sound level meter (pa, n/m2)

-Sound pressure level (SPL):value of sound pressure in Decibels in reference to standard value of threshold of hearing.

-Decibel (dB)is a unit of sound intensity

Threshold of hearing (0) and pain (120) dB

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

 Basic theory of sound

FACTORS FOR SENSITIVITY

Detection, Discrimination, Selective hearing

- Frequency and age

-Intensity/ Level

-Time/ Duration/reverberation

-Direction

-Nature of our ear

Acoustics Course No. Arch 5251 Dawit M. UOG Department of Architecture

Thanks!