CHAPTER 3

Research Component

3.1 Introduction

Davao City is not only the center for business and economic activity in

Mindanao but it is also the center of education in the island. The city currently hosts

senior high schools, Jose Maria College (JMC), University of Mindanao (UM),

Ateneo de Davao University (Addu), University of Immaculate Conception (UIC) and

University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep). Addu and UM have been granted an

Autonomous Status from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Beyond complying with the minimum standards most of the schools here in

Davao have also voluntarily subjected themselves to a process that aims for a

quality beyond what is being prescribed by the government.

Davao City's overall environment also gives it an edge when it comes to

conduciveness of the city for studying. Davao City enjoys a dynamic academic

community with higher education institutions, whether sectarian or non-sectarian.

The project aims to design an senior high school building that is

environmental friendly. Knowing the proposed project sits near the airport,

considered the impact of noise that must be controlled by using the right materials.

The projects primary objective is to design a four-storey building that blocks the

noise of aircrafts and any other noise from the airport that will not disturbed the

classes in the proposed building.

This project proposal considers green building since there no much trees in

the open field. Trees are natural sound barriers, but the group will be focusing in its
objectives and its environmental issues where the project is located where noise has

the highest impact of pollution in the said location.

3.2 Related Literature

Architectural Green Building Design

Considerable initiatives have been carried out by the research community

worldwide, to find alternative sustainable building materials and low technology

methods, which result in a more sustainable and affordable construction adhering to

the comfort standards needed today. Adopting green building materials is an

excellent approach to meet this target. Selection of construction materials which

have minimum environmental burdens is useful in the sustainable development of a

country. Therefore, building related contribution to environmental issues is large and

therefore essential. Selecting environmentally preferable building products is an

excellent method to boost a buildings environmental performance.

The design of green buildings should thus begin with the selection and use of

eco-friendly materials with related or better features than traditional building

materials. Building materials are usually selected through functional, technical and

financial requirements. However, with sustainability as a crucial issue in the last

decades, the building sector, directly or indirectly causing a considerable portion of

the annual environmental deterioration, can take up the obligation to contribute to

sustainable development by finding more environmentally benign methods of

construction and building.

Among the directions for solutions is to be found in new material applications,

recycling and reuse, sustainable production of products or use of green resources,

Careful selection of eco-friendly sustainable building materials may be the fastest

way for builders to start integrating sustainable design concepts in buildings.

Nevertheless, the price of a building element signifies just the manufacturing and

transportation costs, not social or environmental costs. Substantial initiatives have

been carried out by the research community globally, to discover alternative

sustainable building materials and low technology techniques, which result in a more

sustainable and affordable construction complying with the comfort standards

required today. Embracing green building materials is a good alternative to meet to

this objective.

Therefore, Selection of construction materials that have minimum

environmental burdens is useful in the sustainable development of a nation.

(Sustainable Building Material for Green Building Construction, Conservation

and Renovation, 2012)

Noise Control

Since the location of the project is near at the airport, this project proposal

considered effective materials of sound control.

Environmental Noise Barriers:

Concrete

Concrete is used in various ways in the construction of noise barriers. Precast

planks slotted into H shaped uprights provide a rapid means of construction and can

be easily repaired. One form of concrete noise barrier is constructed from linked

precast panels set at varying angles so as to obviate the need for separate post

supports. Concrete noise barriers benefit from low-maintenance, but prefabricated

noise barriers are relatively expensive. Special designed surface features can be

beneficially employed to reflect sound at a desired angle, away from noise sensitive

receivers.

On a highway contract involving other concrete structures it may be

economical to use in-situ concrete to construct noise barriers. Alternatively, concrete

profile barriers could be used to form the lower portion of a noise barrier. For

structural design of concrete profile barriers. (Guidelines on Design of Noise

Barriers, 2003).

Walls are an important structural element in all kind of buildings that provides

protection from the noise externally as well as internally.

Bricks

Bricks are used often to construct masonry noise barriers as they fir in

vernacular architecture. Solid blocks are used to construct reflective barriers while

perforated bricks are used for sound absorptive barriers.

Trees

Noise reduction or lessen has become an important consideration for many

municipalities as they constantly look at ways of suppressing and dampening

surrounding noise from nearby roads, railways, and airports. Urban trees can be

used as sound barrier to reduce noise pollution. As with planting for wind or visual

barriers, the selection and arrangement of the trees is the key to a successful

outcome. Where solid barriers such as fences are frequently used as sound barriers,

trees and bushes can also be effective. Where space permits, thick strips of

vegetation in conjunction with landforms or solid barriers can reduce highway noise
by 6 to 15 decibels (D.I. Cook). Because trees absorb more high frequency noise

than low frequency, this makes them ideal for use as sound barriers.

How Trees Reduce Noise

Noise reduction is achieved by either deflection or absorption of the noise or a

combination of the two (to be effective they should be as close as possible to the

source of the noise). Most landscape barriers on the other hand, work solely by

deflecting sound. Earthen raised bank are often used in combination with trees and

bushes to deflect and absorb sound when the available space is limited. Large-

leaved of a tree may be more effective at reducing noise during spring and summer

but evergreens will provide better results year-round. In regard to tree size, it has

been proven that noise reduction tends to increase with tree height up to 10-12m,

after which it tends to decrease. This is a result of lower branches dying and allowing

sound to travel more easily. Noise reduction is correlated with the width of a belt of

trees, meaning the wider it is the greater the noise reduction. A screen placed

relatively close to a noise source is more effective than one placed close to the area

to be protected. However, at midway between the source and receiver, noise

reduction is least.

There are several factors to be considered before deciding to create a tree

barrier against noise.

• Noise is more effectively reduced by completely screening the source from

view.

• A noise barrier should be planted as close to the noise source as possible.

 • Wide belts of high density trees and shrubs are required to achieve

significant noise reductions.

• Effectiveness of noise reduction is closely related to the density of stems,

branches and leaves.

• For year-round noise reduction use a tree that evergreens or a combination

of botany and a tree or plant evergreen species.

• Soft ground is an efficient noise absorber. Cultivating ground before planting

and the addition of well-rotted organic matter to the soil surface may also help to

reduce noise whilst vegetation becomes established.