Read more
List of contents
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction xiii
1. Basic Theory 1 Sound Level 2 Sound Level 2
Source Path Receiver 4
Measuring Sound Level 5
Measuring Sound Level 8
Multiple Sound Sources 9
Decibel Addition 10
Sound Propagation 11 Sound Propagation 11
Directivity 12
Sound Frequency 13 Frequency 13
Octave Bands 17
Sound Level Perception and Frequency 19
A¿Weighted Decibels 20
The Special Case of Low¿Frequency Sound 22
2. Sound Absorption 25 Principles of Absorptive and Reflective Surfaces 26
Absorption Coefficient 27
Types of Sound Absorbers 29
Room Constant 33
Room Average Absorption 33
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) 36
Sound Absorption Data 38
3. Room Acoustics 57 Room Acoustics Qualities 58 Impulse Response 58
Reverberance 60
Optimal Reverberation Time 65
Clarity 66
Variable Acoustics 70
Reverberation Time Calculation Checklist 74
Room Shaping for Speech and Music 75
Loudness 76
Balconies 80
Sightlines 82
Warmth 83
Concert Hall Types 85
Spatial Impression 87
Intimacy 94
Diffusion 95
Theater Planning 97 Stage Acoustics 97
Orchestra Pits 101
What Makes a Good Room for Music? 102
Performance Venue Seats 106
Acoustic Defects 109 Acoustic Defects 109
Performance Venues 114 Room Acoustics History 114
Performance Venues to Visit 117
Design Checklists 118 Rooms for Unamplified Music Performance Checklist 118
Other Types of Rooms Checklist 119
Sound System Design 123 Electronic Sound Reinforcement 123
4. Noise Control 131 Sound Isolation Principles 132 Apartment Layout Graphic Quiz 132
Flanking 133
Flanking Graphic Checklist 134
Flanking Noise Checklist 134
Measures of Airborne Sound Isolation 140 Transmission Loss (TL) 140
Sound Transmission Class (STC) 142
How to Measure Sound Transmission Class (STC) 144
Target STC Ratings 146
Noise Reduction (NR) 147
Achieving Higher Acoustical Privacy 148
Background Noise 152 Background Noise 152
Noise Criteria (NC) 153
Speech Intelligibility and Noise 155
Open¿Plan Office Acoustics 157
Sound Transmission Loss Data 162
Noise Reduction Example Problem 175
Air¿Structure¿Air Flanking 178
Acoustic Privacy Checklist 179
Apartment Layout Quiz Answer 180
Door and Window Sound Isolation 182 Doors 182
Noise Isolation and Windows 184
Impact Noise 185 Impact Noise Isolation 185
How to Measure IIC 190
Impact Noise Checklist 192
Recommended Floor¿Ceiling Assemblies 195
Resiliently Mounted Room Surfaces 197
Community Noise 202 Principles of Community Noise 202
Building¿in¿Building Design 202
Noise Sources 204
Community Noise Research 207
Community Noise Example Problem 208
Outdoor Barriers 209
Outdoor Barriers Checklist 210
Outdoor Barrier Example Problem 212
Wind Turbine Noise 214
Community Noise Checklist 215
Mechanical System Noise 217 Principles of Mechanical System Noise 217
Ducted Fan Noise 220
Mechanical Room Graphic Checklist 224
Ducted Air Turbulence Noise 225
Vibration Isolation 229
Mechanical Noise Checklist 232
Plumbing Noise 237
Isolating Pipes from Structure 238
Plumbing Noise Checklist 239
Index 243
About the author
MICHAEL ERMANN is an associate professor at Virginia Tech's School of Architecture + Design, and a past undergraduate architecture program co-chairman. He teaches architectural acoustics, design studio, and environmental building systems. Prior to joining the VT faculty, Professor Ermann was an acoustical consultant at Artec in New York, NY and Siebein Associates in Gainesville, FL.
