Sound predictions in an urban context. Issue 1 (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Niesten, J; Tenpierik, MJ; Krimm, J
• Is Part Of: Building acoustics. Volume 29:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Sound reflections -- façades -- high-rise -- environmental noise -- urban context; Soundproofing -- Periodicals; Architectural acoustics -- Periodicals; Acoustical engineering -- Periodicals; Acoustical engineering; Architectural acoustics; Soundproofing; Periodicals; 693.834
• DOI: 10.1177/1351010X211034665
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-010X

Abstract

Recent studies show that environmental noise in urban environments continues to be a great health risk. This noise is especially further transmitted by the hard materials that are mostly used for façades. To predict these effects it is desirable to have a reliable prediction method. There are already several ways to predict sound levels in an urban context. This paper investigates two while focusing specifically on a practical approach to show that the methods are suitable to use during an actual design project. The impact of changing a façade at a specific location is investigated using both prediction methods. A façade which reflects sound to a location where it has a smaller impact, a sound absorbing façade, and a façade which combines both are taken into consideration. These façade adaptions have the potential to improve the sound levels in the investigated area from 1.7 up to 9.3 dB(A).