SCALE-MODEL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT AND OPTIMAL DESIGN OF SOUND ABSORBERS IN AN OPEN-PLAN OFFICE

Authors

  • Md Amin Mahmud Graduate Research Assistant
  • Murray Hodgson Professor and Director, Acoustics and Noise Research Group,

Abstract

The UBC Vancouver AERL building fourth-floor open-plan student area contains TECTUM sound-absorptive baffles located flat against, and suspended from, the ceiling. Is this the optimal configuration or would they, for example, be more effective if located in a different configuration? This paper discusses tests performed in a 1:8-scale open-plan model with 18 workstations, using a suitable 1:8-scale-model sound-absorbing material (6-mm-thick felt), to investigate the sound absorption provided by acoustical treatments such as baffles in AERL and find the optimal configuration. Both the reverberation time (T_20 in s) and sound level decrease per doubling of distance (DL2 in dB/dd) were tested for 15 different absorber configurations (suspended, ceiling-mounted and sidewall absorbers and their various combinations), including the current configuration. The optimal absorber configuration ? absorber covering the whole ceiling and, the second best, a combination of all types of absorber ? was the same for both T_20 and DL2, and performed much better than the current configuration of the AERL space area.

Author Biographies

Md Amin Mahmud, Graduate Research Assistant

Acoustics and Noise Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia.

Murray Hodgson, Professor and Director, Acoustics and Noise Research Group,

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia.

Additional Files

Published

2016-08-24

How to Cite

1.
Mahmud MA, Hodgson M. SCALE-MODEL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT AND OPTIMAL DESIGN OF SOUND ABSORBERS IN AN OPEN-PLAN OFFICE. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2016 Aug. 24 [cited 2024 Nov. 21];44(3). Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/2898

Issue

Vol. 44 No. 3 (2016)

Section

Proceedings of the Acoustics Week in Canada

License

Author Licensing Addendum

This Licensing Addendum ("Addendum") is entered into between the undersigned Author(s) and Canadian Acoustics journal published by the Canadian Acoustical Association (hereinafter referred to as the "Publisher"). The Author(s) and the Publisher agree as follows:

  1. Retained Rights: The Author(s) retain(s) the following rights:

    • The right to reproduce, distribute, and publicly display the Work on the Author's personal website or the website of the Author's institution.
    • The right to use the Work in the Author's teaching activities and presentations.
    • The right to include the Work in a compilation for the Author's personal use, not for sale.

  2. Grant of License: The Author(s) grant(s) to the Publisher a worldwide exclusive license to publish, reproduce, distribute, and display the Work in Canadian Acoustics and any other formats and media deemed appropriate by the Publisher.

  3. Attribution: The Publisher agrees to include proper attribution to the Author(s) in all publications and reproductions of the Work.

  4. No Conflict: This Addendum is intended to be in harmony with, and not in conflict with, the terms and conditions of the original agreement entered into between the Author(s) and the Publisher.

  5. Copyright Clause: Copyright on articles is held by the Author(s). The corresponding Author has the right to grant on behalf of all Authors and does grant on behalf of all Authors, a worldwide exclusive license to the Publisher and its licensees in perpetuity, in all forms, formats, and media (whether known now or created in the future), including but not limited to the rights to publish, reproduce, distribute, display, store, translate, create adaptations, reprints, include within collections, and create summaries, extracts, and/or abstracts of the Contribution.

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > >>