ACOUSTIC

Understanding the principles, desire and

undesired
DEFINITION
ACOUSTIC (Greek term AKOUEIN, meaning “TO HEAR”)
one of the oldest branch in physics

Acoustic: The branch of physics that deals with the

production, control, transmission,
reception and effects of sound.

Sound: The sensation stimulated in the organs of

hearing by mechanical radiant energy
transmitted as longitudinal
pressure waves through the air
or other medium.
ACOUSTIC
In architecture and interior design
 Concern with control of sound in spaces
 Preserve and enhanced desired sound
 Reduce or eliminate sound that interfere with
our activities
Nature and Properties of Sound
Nature of Sound

Beneficial music, speech, warning sounds

etc.
Noise unwanted sound
Nature and Properties of Sound
Origin of Sound

Sound 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. Suitable vibrations in the air can be caused
by a variety of methods.
Nature and Properties of Sound
Properties of Sound
Sound is a pressure wave and thus cannot exist in a vacuum.
 Sound waves can travel through solids, liquids and gases.
 For a sound to exist, two things are necessary:
1) a source (vibrating body to produce the pressure waves)
2) a medium (something for the pressure waves to move)

The sound source vibrates

and affects air particles,
which strike the ear drum
Nature and Properties of Sound
Measurement of Sound
 The logarithmic scale used is known as the
decibel or dB after Alexander Graham Bell.
 This scale is approximately corresponds to
the perception of the change in loudness
detected by our hearing.
 The decibel is the smallest change in sound
pressure that ear can detect.
Nature and Properties of Sound
 Example of sound pressure level scale in loudness (dB)

Ref: http://www.nohsc.gov.au/OHSInformation/OHSSolutions/noise/NOISECONT.HTM
Nature and Properties of Sound
Sound waves have four (4) basic qualities:

1. Frequency (ƒ): is the number of cycles of vibration per

second. The unit is hertz (Hz)

2. Velocity (v): depends on the medium in which

the sound is traveling and the
temperature of the medium. It
is the distance moved per second in
a fixed direction. The unit is metre
per second (m/s).
Nature and Properties of Sound
Sound waves have four (4) basic qualities:

3. Wavelength (λ): is the distance between any two

repeating points on wave. It is
measured in metre (m).

4. Power: is the quality of acoustic energy as

measured in watts. It is this power
that people perceive as loudness.
Nature and Properties of Sound
For every vibration of the sound source the wave moves
forward by one wavelength. The number of vibrations per
second therefore indicates the total length moved in 1 second;
which is the same as velocity. This relationship is true for all
wave motions and can be written as the following formula.

v=ƒxλ
where
v = velocity in m/s
ƒ = frequency in Hz
λ = wavelength in m
Noise
The railroads noise

The main roads and traffics

Power Plant noise

Noise
 Noise is an unwanted sound. This is an environmental definition of
sound that takes account of the effect of a sound rather than its nature.

any sound that is unwanted, annoying, or discordant, or that interferes with one’s hearing of
something

 Many of the reasons for not wanting a particular sound can be identified
by the effects that can have on the listener or on the environment.
Some of the effects are
 Hearing loss
 Quality of life
 Interference
 Distraction
 Expense
Noise
Measurement of noise

The acceptance of noise by people obviously depends on individual

hearing sensitivity and upon living habits. The acceptance of noise is
also affected by the external factors outlined below.

 Type of environment

 Frequency structure

 Duration
Noise
Noise control
Action against the many types of noises, which
causes concern in buildings, can be grouped into
three main areas:
 Source
 Path
 Receiver
Noise
Source, Path, Receiver
 Almost every acoustic situation can be described in terms of a
source of sound, a path for transmission of sound and a
receiver of the sound.

 Sometimes the source strength can be increased or reduced,

the path can be made less or more effective and the receiver
can be made more attentive by removing distraction, or can be
made more tolerant to the disturbance.

 Sound reduction in all three areas of source, path and receiver

are relevant to the design of quieter buildings.
Noise
Unwanted noise generated outside a room
can be controlled in three ways:

 To control and isolate the noise at its source

 To organize the building plan such that noisy
areas are located as far away as possible from
quiet areas
 To eliminate possible paths (through the air or
through a building's structure) that the noise can
take from its source to the space
Noise
Control and isolate the
noise at its source

 Selective purchasing
policies – choose quiet
equipments

 Maintenance of
equipment

 Resilient mounting of
equipment

 Enclosure of noise
equipment
Behaviour of Sound
Reflection

Sound is reflected in the same way as light, provided that the

reflecting object is larger than the wavelength of the sound concerned.
The angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence of the wave. (law
of reflection)
Law of reflection: applies when the sound wave is small compared to the reflecting surface

At the boundary surface, the sound energy is partly

 Reflected
 Absorbed
 Transmitted
 Diffracted
Behaviour of Sound
Pattern of Reflected Sound

Reflecting surfaces are useful to help the even distribution of

sound and to increase the overall sound levels by
reinforcement of the sound waves.

 Flat reflector spread reflected sound

 Concave Reflector focus reflected sound
 Convex Reflector widely spread and diffuse reflected
sound
Behaviour of Sound

Due to the behaviour of sound, sound levels can be controlled through

the use of sound-absorbing materials

The material characteristic is generally

• Less dense like fibrous plaster, carpet, curtains etc. diffuse /
absorb the sound

• Densed like tiles, aluminium, plastic, panels etc. diffract / refract /

reflect the sound

Reverberation is controlled by the acoustic absorption within the enclosed space

 Behaviour of Sound
Reverberation
Definition : the prolongation of sound as it repeatedly bounces off hard surfaces.

When a sound source is suddenly stopped, the sound intensity in

the room does not suddenly disappear. It gradually fades away.

Reverberation is not the same as an echo as the reflections reach

the listener too rapidly for the ‘to be heard’ as a separate sounds.
 Behaviour of Sound
Reverberation
•Due to successive reflections in an enclosed space
•Modifies the perception of transient space
•Important for speech intelligibility and understanding
•High reverberation times tend to increase background noise levels
•Convey atmosphere
References

• Cavanaugh, W.J. & Wilkes, J.A.(1999). Architectural Acoustics – principles

and Practice. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.
• Ballast, D.K.(1998). Interior Construction & Detailing for designers and
architects. Professional Publications, Inc. USA.
• Mitchell’s Environment and Services (8 th edn)