A

WRITE-UP On the

ACOUSTICAL ANALYSIS of the ACADEMIC BUILDING (Next to FUTA Geotechnical Laboratory)

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AKURE.

AKURE, ONDO STATE.

Compiled By

ARC/08/4023 - OLAYINKA, Temitayo Ayodeji.

ARC/08/4006 - KASSIM, Jemil Olamilekan.

Submitted to:

THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE School of Environmental Technology,

Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.

Course Co-ordinator

Prof. Olu Ola Ogunsote.

JULY 2014.

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TABLE OF CONTENTSCover page - 1

Table of Contents - 2 -3

Abstract - 4

CHAPTER ONE

Brief knowledge of Acoustics in Architecture

1.0 Introduction - 5

1.1 Definition of Terms - 5

1.2 Aim and Objectives - 6

1.3 Reasons for the Study of Acoustics in Buildings - 6

CHAPTER TWO

General Overview of Study Building

ACADEMIC BUILDING, F.U.T.A, Akure, Ondo State.

2.0 Building Description - 6

2.1 Location - 6

2.2 Architectural Design - 7

2.3 Finishing Materials - 7 -8

2.3.1 Walls

2.3.2 Ceilings

2.3.3 Floor

2.3.4 Fenestrations (door & windows)

2.4 Illustrations of Noise Sources External and Internal - 9-10

2.5 External and Internal Pictures of Study Building - 11

CHAPTER THREE

Analysis of general Acoustics of Study Building.

3.1 Analysis of Noise Sources - 12

3.1.1 Internal Noise - 12

3.1.2 External Noise - 12 - 13

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CHAPTER FOUR

Methods of Improving General Acoustics of the Study Building

4.0 Proposal for Reduction of Internal Noise - 13 - 14

4.0.1 Use of Absorbent Screens and Surfaces

4.0.2 Installation of Carpet on the Floor

4.0.3 Use of a Sound Reinforcement System

4.0.4 Full upholstery of seats

4.1 Proposal for Reduction of External Noise - 14

4.1.1 Screening of Hall

4.1.2 Insulation of Walls

4.1.2 Use of Closable Doors and enforcement of closure.

CHAPTER FIVE

Conclusion

5.0 Conclusion - 15

References

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ABSTRACTThis write-up describes the Acoustical Analysis and properties of the ACADEMIC BUILDING (next to FUTA

Geotechnical Laboratory), Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, it does so in terms of

its finishes and construction / Building materials, furniture type, arrangements, as well as the sources of

noise (both internal and external),so as to give an Indepth analysis of the above mentioned properties of

the Study Building.

More so, this write up is expected to propose ways of improving the acoustic properties of the Spaces in

the Study Building with respect to the outcome of the analysis carried out in other to create a noise free

zone and an acoustic friendly environment for the users.

Keywords: Acoustics, Noise, Room Acoustics, Sound

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CHAPTER ONE

Brief knowledge of Acoustics in Architecture

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In the evaluation of a building in relation to the environment in the past the past decades, the importance

of providing good acoustics has become a predominating issue in the search for a model architectural

environment. The issue of noise, its sources and methods of control has been subjected to intense study.

Noise control is fundamentally important to the success of any building especially those meant for

listening. Therefore a good acoustic environment requires a variety of noise forecasts at an early stage. It

determines the difference between excellent sound and the commonly found mediocrity. In recent times

it has become imperative for acoustic planning to be incorporated into every design, without this

designed spaces and the even the whole physical environment will be subjected to disturbing levels of

noise.

Acoustic excellence in a learning environment /lecture theatre could be obtained by attaining very low

levels of background noise, which may go unnoticed by most people, but diminishes their experience,

reducing clarity of sound. Studies have shown that a reduction in background noise and the

quality/nature of the absorbing material use significantly reduces audience noise and eliminates the need

for amplification of sound. When a lecture theatre is truly quiet, the speaker can use his entire dynamic

range and still be heard from every part of the building.

In order to be able to deal with the problems of noise in the Small Lecture Theatre, it would be

paramount to carry out an analysis of the nature, causes and effects of the noise. These findings coupled

with the knowledge of basic acoustics (the nature of sound and its physical properties.) will be of

significant importance in solving the noise related problems in the hall hence providing a more conducive

learning environment for the users.

1.1 DEFINITION OF TERMS

(i) Acoustics: - This simply the science of sound, which involves mainly the study of the room acoustics and the control of noise.

(ii) Room Acoustics:- This concerned with the nature, properties and characteristics of sound in an enclosed space.

(iii) Noise:- This simply an unwanted or damaging sound that interferes with what people are trying to do or sound, which has an adverse effect on health or safety

1.2 AIM AND OBJECTIVES5

The aim of this Acoustic Analysis on the study building is to give various causes of Acoustic disturbances in

a lecture or learning environment, giving reference to the types and sources of Noise to the study

building. This analysis of Academic Building located Next to FUTA geotechnical laboratory also gives

possible ways and recommendation of solving this problem.

1.2 REASONS FOR THE STUDY OF ACOUSTICS

The study of acoustics in relation to buildings is necessary to incorporate the knowledge gained into the early stages of design in other to achieve the following:

(i) To create an acoustic friendly environment for all users including hearing impaired individual.

(ii) To ensure maximum correspondence between individuals in an enclosed space without disturbance form internal or external source of unwanted sound or noise.

(iii) To reduce to barest minimum the physiological and psychological effects of noise on humans in the designed space.

CHAPTER TWO

General Overview of Study Building

ACADEMIC BUILDING (next to FUTA Geotechnical Laboratory)

F.U.T.A Akure, Ondo State.

2.0 BUILDING DESCRIPTION

The Academic Building is two storey Building with 3 floors, designed for use as lecture Classrooms and laboratories for students, including offices for University’s Staffs also of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.

2.1 LOCATION

The Academic Building is located at the Obanla zone of the University campus; enveloped and surrounded by different school buildings on some sides.

Bounded in the North by Nothing but Vegetation and Road Leading to the University Staff Quarters and school Farm, in the South by the Kure Geotechnical laboratory and The School of Science (S.O.S) Building, by the New Security Building on the West end and by Metallurgical and Material(M.M.E) Foundry Workshop and The mechanical Engineering(M.E.E) Laboratory building on the East.

2.2 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

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The Academic Building is designed as a 2 STOREY Building; it functions presently as a Building that houses lecture classrooms and Laboratory for majorly students of S.O.S students and Offices to Staffs of the University.

The building is designed in a rectangular form with a courtyard centralized in the middle with surrounding lobbies linking each wings of the building. The building consist of 12 Lecture Class rooms and 8 Laboratories and close to 40 offices on the last floor of the building

The Building is accessible from all 2 sides, its main entrance located at the Southern part and second entrance while id rarely used located on the Northern part. The roof is in form of a hip roof running through a rectangular shape in which a courtyard is embedded and also with the stair halls decked and used for water tank Base.

2.3 FINISHING MATERIALS.

The construction materials used for the various components are as follows

2.3.1 Walls

Two types of walls were used the first was wall of plastered sandcrete hollow block with a texcote paint finish and partition wall made of aluminium panels and glass majorly used in the offices.

Wall textured with paint Partition walls used for Offices

2.3.2 Ceilings

Due to the nature of the Building being a two storey Building, the Ground floor and were decked meaning the concrete slab separating each floors was the ceiling. While the ceiling used on the Last floor was the PVC ceiling Boards.

2.3.3 Floor

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Decking used as ceiling PVC ceiling board used on the last floor

The floor finish of the Entire Study Building was made of Ceramic Floor tiles with size being 450 x 450mm

2.3.4 Fenestrations

The main entrance doors at the Southern section is made of glass, the two side doors are made of Aluminium while the Other Entrance on the Northern side is made of Hollow steel burglary door. Other doors in the building such as Toilet doors, store doors, Lecture Class room doors and Offices are made of laminated panelled timber doors.

Window openings are made of Aluminium Glass Sliding windows with Hollow steel rectangular Burglary and glass blocks were used in stairhalls

ILLUSTRATION SHOWING THE SOURCES OF EXTERNAL NOISE

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450 x 450mm ceramic floor tiles

Laminated door Steel entrance doorAluminium Glass door

Aluminium sliding glass window in classroom Glass blocks used in stair halls

ILLUSTRATION SHOWING THE SOURCES OF INTERNAL NOISE

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EXTERIOR PICTURES OF STUDY BUILDING (ACADEMIC BUILDING FUTA)

INTERIOR PICTURES OF STUDY BUILDING (ACADEMIC BUILDING FUTA)

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View showing one wing of Building

View of the CourtyardView of a LobbyView of a lecture room Setting

Office Area of the Building Classroom view of Furnitures

View of adjoining buildingsCar park of Study buildingRear view

Right side view Left side viewFront view

CHAPTER THREE

Acoustic disturbances (Noise) and Study Building

3.0 ANALYSIS OF NOISE SOURCES

The sources of noise have been identified and divide under two major divisions which are

3.0.1 Internal Noise

Most internal noise is generated through human activities, which include:

i. Occasional dragging of furniture on the hard Floor Finish

ii. Noise from occasional opening closing of fenestrations.

iii. Verbal discussions in the classroom.

iii. Movement of students in and out of Lecture class rooms/ Laboratories and movement of staffs in and out their offices

iv. Noise from Mechanical devices such as Ceiling fans and Air conditioners

3.0.2 External Noise

The major constituents of external noise are:

i. Background noise from human (students) conversation and activities as they loiter on the walkways and surroundings of the building.

ii. Mechanical Noises from the devices used in the M.E.E Laboratory and M.M.E foundry Workshop

ii. Vehicular Noise from activities that cause engine noise, movement of the vehicles and hooting of horns from adjacent car park around the Building.

iii. Occasional noise from movement of trees during strong wind.

iv. Noise from climatic feature such as noise caused by rainfall, wind noise.

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Air conditioners along lobby Ceiling fans Dragging of furniture

v. Other occasional external sources of noise such as unprecedented noise from student in political campaign, riots and awareness

Vii Noise from air conditioners and pumping machine situated outside the study building

vii. Noise from being generated from cars moving along the road leading to staff quarters and School of Management Technology.

CHAPTER FOUR

Methods of Improving General Acoustics of the Study Building

The approaches in improving the acoustical aura of the Academic Building would be discussed in relation to the two categories of noise sources in an effort to reduce both external and internal noise to tolerable or barest minimum levels.

4.0 PROPOSAL FOR REDUCTION OF INTERNAL NOISE

4.0.1 Use of Absorbent Screens and Surfaces

Absorbent materials and surfaces are efficient in reducing noise ensuing from verbal discussions by students as well as any other internally generated noise that would have been aggravated by multiple reflections from walls. The following are effective types of absorbent materials;

(i) Porous absorbents (best for high frequencies) (ii) Membrane absorbents (best for low frequencies)

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Pumping MachineNoise along the WalkwayNoise From road beside Building

Noise from Car park Noise from Foundry Workshop Noise from MEE Laboratory

(iii) Resonant absorbers (resonators) (iv) Perforated panel absorbents.

The ceiling boards are acoustic ceiling tiles, which are good sound absorbing materials. Additional sound absorbing panels can be introduced in a narrow band along the upper side of the walls.

The use of gypsum board ceiling below floor slabs will allow beneficial reflection from the ceiling to increase the apparent loudness of sounds for the students towards the rear of Classrooms

4.0.2 Installation of Carpet on the Floor

It is an established fact that noise from impacts such as shifting furniture and footsteps are less in carpeted rooms as compared to rooms with hard floor finish. Carpets however raise questions on indoor air quality and high maintenance costs which must be balanced with acoustical benefits.

4.0.3 Use of a Sound System

This consists of a wireless microphone used by the teacher to pick up his voice, the voice is then amplified and played through a loudspeakers carefully located in the hall to increase the loudness of the speech sounds for the students in the class room, this prevents the lecturer from shouting in order to make him or her audible.

4.0.4 Full upholstery of seats

Use of foam padded and leather finished chairs will go a long way in absorption of some sound as against the effect of reflection which will be felt in the current case of the wooden furniture.

4.1 PROPOSAL FOR REDUCTION OF EXTERNAL NOISE

4.1.1 Screening of Building

The noise coming from the surrounding walkways and car park can be screened-off using a fence, constructed to enclose the hall especially from the car park.

4.1.2 Insulation of Walls

The walls of the hall could be insulated with absorbent materials embedded within the block wall; the resulting insulated double skin wall offers a greater insulation from both traffic noise and pedestrian noise from walkways.

4.1.3 Use of Closable doors and enforcement of closure

All doors should be changed to a double glazed aluminium framed door provided with door closers and it must be ensured that they are closed after each entry or exit to disallow noise infiltration. The use of artificial air-conditioning system might also help, in order to be able to close all doors and windows to ensure that sound propagation (reflection) is kept within the classrooms / laboratories and offices this also reduces the amount of external noise into the Building.

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CHAPTER FIVE

Conclusion

5.0 CONCLUSION

The basic acoustic considerations should be made and included in the design of the building before it is constructed to avoid the problem of adjustments to standing structures and cost implications.

Acoustic is a very important aspect to be considered in architectural designs most especially in the design academic buildings. Noise control should be of prime consideration in any academic environment; learning requires a serene environment to aid concentration.

Apart from the spatial requirements, other factors such as construction materials, site selection, and design and amplification systems for large halls are equally important. An audiologist and acoustical consultant should be included in the design of learning facilities to aid a satisfactory learning environment.

REFERENCES

www.wikipedia.com/em/acoustics.

R.M.E Diamant; Thermal and Acoustic Insulation

Professor Olu Ola Ogunsote (2014); Acoustics and Noise Control Lecture notes

Architecture 500level 2006/2007, (April 2007).; Acoustical Analysis on Small LT (Futa)

M. Mehta, J. Johnson, J. Rocafort, ‘Architectural Acoustics: Principles and Design’.1998.

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