Measurements in Building Acoustics

Course guarantor:

Lecturer:

Tutor:

Supervisor:

Department of Architectural Engineering

Synopsis:

Within the course, students will acquire theoretical and practical knowledge of selected measurement methods used in the field of architectural acoustics. The experience gained will help them to better understand the topics discussed in the basic acoustics courses and at the same time facilitate their application in building physics practice.

Requirements:

At least a basic knowledge of building acoustics.

Syllabus of lectures:

1. Introduction (basic acoustic terms and quantities, the importance of measurement in acoustics of buildings)

2. Measurement equipment (measurement microphones, sound analysers, acoustic calibrators and other accessories)

3. Measurement of sound pressure levels (exponential time weighting, linear averaging, maximum, equivalent, percentile sound pressure levels, frequency weightings (A-weighting and C-weighting), decibel scale)

4. Laboratory measurement of airborne sound insulation (requirements on acoustic laboratories and measurement equipment, laboratory measurement of sound reduction index of walls, floors, acoustical linings, windows, small technical elements, etc.)

5. Laboratory measurement of impact sound insulation (requirements on acoustic laboratories and measurement equipment, laboratory measurement of impact sound pressure level of floors, measurement of reduction of impact sound pressure level caused by floating floors and floor coverings)

6. Measurement of in situ sound insulation (requirements on measurement equipment, test procedure, evaluation of results)

7. Measurement of reverberation time (interrupted noise method) (requirements on measurement equipment, test procedure, evaluation of results)

8. Measurement of reverberation time (integrated impulse response method) and other quantities in room acoustics

9. Other measurement methods used in acoustics of buildings, measurement of loss factor, airflow resistance and sound absorption coefficient

10. Measurement of noise from stationary sources in buildings

11. Measurement of traffic noise

12. Uncertainties of measurement of acoustic quantities and their application in the evaluation of results

13. Regulations, requirements, summary

Syllabus of tutorials:

1. Measurement of airborne sound insulation in laboratory or in situ

2. Measurement of impact sound insulation in laboratory or in situ

3. Measurement of reverberation time

4. Processing of measured results, test reports, consultations

5. Measurement of noise from a stationary source

6. Measurement of traffic noise

7. Processing of measured results, test reports, consultations

Study Objective:

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the basic test methods used in the field of acoustics of buildings for verification of the actual acoustical properties of sound sources, building elements and buildings.

Study materials:

! ISO 10140 Acoustics — Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements, all parts

! ISO 16283 Acoustics — Field measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements, all parts

! ISO 3382 Acoustics — Measurement of room acoustic parameters, all parts

Note:

Further information:

No time-table has been prepared for this course

The course is a part of the following study plans:

• Buildings and Environment (compulsory elective course)