Applied Acoustics

Recommended Prerequisites

Mathematical Analysis I, Mathematical Analysis II, General Physics I, General Physics II, Building Physics

Teaching Methods

The classes will be mainly theoretical and practical, where concepts and theory will be lectured, using projection audio-visual media, as well as practical application exercises will be demonstrated. When possible, questions in the same topics will be addressed to the students leading them to new knowledge. In the same classes, application problems will be solved by the students, under the teacher supervision. There will be a laboratorial class, permitting demonstration and operation with equipment and procedures used in acoustic tests.

Learning Outcomes

In the curricular unit “Applied Acoustics”, in the Specialization Area on Construction Sciences, the acoustic concepts introduced in the previous curricular unit “Building Physics” will be thoroughly addressed and the scope of knowledge will be extended in order to enable students to:

- understand the physical phenomena of sound propagation;

- know and apply the national legislation on environmental noise and buildings acoustics;

- know the main normative documents for tests in building acoustics and for measurements of environmental noise;

- understand how the different materials and constructive solutions perform in relation to the propagation of sound.

Acquiring capabilities in synthesis and analysis, oral and written communication, problems solving, critic reflection, autonomous learning, and practical application of theoretical knowledge.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction

2. General concepts on acoustics

Sound propagation; Response of the human ear; Time and frequency domains analyses; Measuring and testing equipment

3. Noise of human activity

Noise legislation; Equipment, industrial and traffic noise; Soil vibration

4. Room acoustics

Sound field inside a closed room; Reverberation time; Absorbing materials

5. Airborne sound insulation

Measuring methods and simplified prediction models for different kinds of building elements; Indirect sound transmission

6. Impact noise

Measuring methods and prediction models; Impact sound insulation technologies for different types of floors

7. Portuguese building acoustics national regulation (RRAE)

RRAE, republished by DL n.º 96/2008, from 09/June

8. Traffic noise analysis

Prediction models based on simplified formulas; Minimizing traffic noise effect; Methodologies for acoustic barriers analyses; Simplified calculation procedures.

Head Lecturer(s)

António José Barreto Tadeu

Assessment Methods

Assessment
The students’ evaluation will be based on written tests and a synthesis work: 2 tests accomplished during the classes or a final exam; a synthesis/monograph work, made in groups of 3 students, with a public presentation during one of the classes. The final evaluation will be the weighted average of the partial classifications obtained on the written tests (80%) and on the synthesis work (20%).: 100.0%

Bibliography



A. Tadeu, D. Mateus, J. António, L. Godinho, P. Amado Mendes, "Acústica Aplicada", Sebenta de apoio à disciplina, DEC-FCTUC, 2010.

O. Domingues, "A acústica nos edifícios: materiais e sistemas absorventes sonoros: coeficientes de absorção sonora", LNEC, 2005.

O. Domingues, "A acústica nos edifícios: pavimentos e revestimentos de pavimentos, isolamento a sons de percussão", LNEC, 2008.

C.M. Harris (ed.), "Handbook of noise control", McGraw-Hill, 1957.

R. Josse, "Notions d'acoustique : à l'usage des architectes, ingénieurs et urbanistes", 3ª ed., Ed. Eyrolles, 1977.

M. Meisser, "Acustica de los edificios", Ed. Técnicos Asociados, 1973.

J. Patrício, "Acústica nos Edifícios", 6ª ed., Verlag Dashofer, 412 pp., 2010.

P. Martins da Silva, "Acústica de edifícios", Informação técnica. Edifícios, 8, LNEC, 1978.

P. Martins da Silva, "Projecto de condicionamento acústico de edifícios", LNEC, 2006.

"Prevision des niveaux sonores", CETUR - Ministere de l´Environnement et du Cadre de Vie, 1980.