Environmental and Urban Acoustics

Recommended Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of Mathematics and Physics. It is recommended that the student has previously attended the unit Acoustics and vibrations in buildings and their envelopes

Teaching Methods

The content of the course unit will be presented through teoretical-practical lectures and students will be asked about the topics taught in such a way as to guide them to new knowledge. Where appropriate practical application examples will be presented and students will be asked to solve exercises under guidance of the lecturer.

Learning Outcomes

To understand the effect of urban planning in soundscape

To understand the phenomena of sound propagation outdoors

To identify sources that contribute to environmental noise

To know and know how to apply legislation and standards on environmental noise

To know the methods used in emission and noise propagation

To understand the importance of noise maps and implementation methodology

To identify measures to reduce environmental noise.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Introduction: The environmental noise and Urban Planning

Factors affecting the propagation of sound outdoors: geometrical divergence, air absorption ; attenuation

Sources of Noise: Traffic noise, industrial noise, construction sites

Standardization and legislation in environmental noise: ISO 1996; Directive 2002/49/EC; Decree-Law (No. 146/2006 of 31 July, No. 9/2007 of 17 January, No. 182/2006 of 6 September)

Models of emission and noise propagation:

-Road Traffic Noise (NMB Routes-96)

-Rail Traffic noise (SMR-II)

-Aircraft Noise (ECAC.CEAC doc.29)

- Noise different activities:(ISO 9613)

-Acoustic Barriers

-Common-Noise Assessment Methods in Europe (CNOSSOS)

Noise mapping and management of environmental noise:

-Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

-Acoustic-Cartography

-Example of preparing a noise map

-Software for calculating outdoor sound propagation

-The concept of "soundscape"

Environmental noise reduction measures: source, propagation path, receiver.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 20.0%
Exam: 80.0%

Bibliography

- James P. Cowan – “Handbook of environmental acoustics”, John Wiley & Sons, Inc,1994

- Robert Josse – “Notions d’Acoustique – à l’usage des architectes, ingénieurs et urbanistes” Ed. Eyrolles, Paris, 1977.

- Cyril M. Harris – “Handbook of Noise Control”, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1979.