Architectural

Acoustics

Lec 1: Introduction
Course overview
Course Description
Course Main Objective
Course Learning Outcomes
Course content
Assessment Tasks for Students
Learning resources
Introduction
Acoustics Historic Overview
Acoustics field in Architecture
 Course Description

• Course Code: 8044103-2

• Prerequisite: 203205- 4 Physics

• Introduction to architectural acoustics, room acoustics and
noise sources, measurements, and control acoustical,
properties of materials , sound absorption and transmission,
sound systems design and application of architectural
acoustics in terms of acoustic enhancement and noise control
in enclosures.
 Course Learning Outcomes
1. Have gained an understanding of the basic concepts of acoustics,
and auditory perception.

2. Have a comprehensive knowledge of theories used in

architectural acoustics.

3. Be able to identify, discuss and resolve acoustical problems

related to architectural acoustics, and acoustic comfort.
Assessment Tasks for Students
No Assessment task Week Due Percentage of Total
Assessment Score
1. Quiz 1 4th 5%
2. Quiz 2 12th 5%
3. Assignments 3th 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 20%
9th 10th 11th
4. Final project 13th 14th 15th 10%
5. Midterm Exam 8th 20%
6. Final Exam 16th 40%
Course Content
Contact
No List of Topics
Hours
1 Introduction 1*4= 4
2 Fundamentals of Acoustics 1*4= 4
3 Human Perception and Reaction to Sound 1*4= 4
4 Noise sources and ways to control them 2*4= 8
5 Room acoustics 1*4= 4
6 Acoustical properties of materials 1*4= 4
7 acoustics measurements 1*4= 4
8 Mid-Term Exam 1*4= 4
9 Room shapes and Acoustic defects in halls and ways to overcome them. 1*4= 4
10 Sound absorption and transmission 1*4= 4
11 Design of halls 1*4= 4
1*4= 4
12 Application of architectural acoustics
13 Sound system design 2*4=8

Total 4*15= 60
Assessment Tasks for Students
No Assessment task Week Due Percentage of Total
Assessment Score
1. Quiz 1 4th 5%
2. Quiz 2 12th 5%
3. Assignments 3th 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 20%
9th 10th 11th
4. Final project 13th 14th 15th 10%
5. Midterm Exam 8th 20%
6. Final Exam 16th 40%
Learning Resources
• Required Textbooks
 Concepts in Architectural Acoustics, M. David Egan,
Publisher:McGraw- Hill Inc.
 Architectural Acoustics by M. Long, Elsevier Academic Press.
 Acoustics of Gothic Churches, PACS reference: 43.55 Gx
Meyer, Jürgen.
 https://en.wikipedia.org
• Other Learning Materials
• Saudi Digital Library.
Instructors

Dr. Salah Elden Kamal

Mobil: 0543537448
E.mail: sabdelhamid@tu.edu.sa
Introduction
Acoustics as a field of science and technology

• Old field of science but significant effects not until the

20th century
Acoustics has enabled, e.g.:

– Telephone, radio, recording and reproduction of sound,

talking movies.
– Hearing protection in industrial labor.
– Privacy in residential buildings.
– The building of spaces which work according to desired
function.
Introduction
• Sound plays an important role in how people experience and
perceive the surrounding environment:
– Hearing ( Music , Warning signals)
– Speech, communication
– Sound in nature
• The scientific knowhow to achieve a good sound within a
space building.
• Involves the study of speech intelligibility, speech privacy,
music quality, noise control and vibration reduction within
the built environment.
Acoustics Historic Overview
• Earliest meeting places were open areas in natural forms.
• Understanding of the directional nature of human voice.
• Seating arrangements were made in concentric semi circles in front of
speakers for best audibility.
• Seating are limited to 180°.
• Understanding of the directional nature of human voice.
• Theories followed wind carried the sound
• Seating should not face South (audience should not be looking at the sun)
Acoustics Historic Overview
1st Century AD
Vitruvius: “10 Books of Architecture”
Sound reinforcement
Reverberation
Acoustics Historic Overview
The Suleymaniye Mosque Istanbul (1558)

• The series of openings in the dome present for sound absorption

• Mimar Sinan the Architect avoided using regular forms like a perfect square
or cube, and used niches, buttresses, galleries, etc to break regularity.
Acoustics Historic Overview
 Greek Theatre
• Open air
• Direct sound path
• No sound reinforcement
• Minimal reverberation
Acoustics Historic Overview
1st Century AD
Vitruvius: “10 Books of Architecture”
Sound reinforcement
Reverberation
The importance of acoustical design
“Proper acoustical planning eliminates many acoustical problems before they are
built” Lee Irvine

Architecture Acoustics Studies Objectives:

Architecture acoustics studies have specific goals and aims related to sound and its
interaction with architectural environments.

These studies aim to achieve various improvements, particularly in the context of:
- Industrial noise
- Hearing risks
- Construction noise
- Public health
Acoustics field in Architecture
The importance of acoustical design
Construction Noise:
Construction sites can generate substantial amounts of noise that can disrupt
surrounding neighborhoods and businesses. Architecture acoustics studies aim to
manage and minimize construction-related noise to reduce its impact on local
communities.

Public Health:
The overall health and well-being of the public are a central concern. By studying
architecture acoustics, efforts are made to create environments that promote better
mental and physical health by minimizing excessive noise and its associated
negative effects.
Acoustics field in Architecture
• Almost all acoustical situations can be described by three common elements:
source, path, and receiver.
• Generally, the source can be made louder or quieter and the path can be made to
transmit mere or less sound.
• The receiver can also be affected in terms of location and environment.
• Usually building occupants will hear better and be mere comfortable if distracting
noise can be controlled, isolated or removed.
• The best solution in most situations is to consider all three elements in acoustical
design.

The distinction between "sound" and "noise" is a subjective one - sound is

desirable, noise is not.
Acoustics field in Architecture
”Good room acoustics means
that speech and music is
perceived as beautiful, natural
and clear in every point of the
room.”
Engineer U. Varjo 1938

• The reflection, attenuation

and propagation of sound in a
space

• Goal: sound (speech,

orchestra etc.) sounds as is
required by the use of space
Acoustics field in Architecture