Controlling acoustic conditions such as sound insulation, reverberation time, and noise levels in a building or testing the acoustic properties of components in a laboratory may indeed be a complex task, even for a qualified person. However, another dimension to the above tasks is the problem of accurately predicting acoustical conditions and acoustical properties. Today, there are many computer-based tools at the disposal of the architectural acoustics professional.
However, without a good understanding of physical principles, one could easily go wrong when new and innovative architecture is needed. The author believes that insight in to physical phenomena and the ability to put knowledge to practical use are the hall marks of an expert, not a bunch of dictionary wisdom.
About the Book
This book deals with all aspects of sound and vibration in buildings as building acoustics or architectural acoustics. The book also deals with room acoustics, but with an emphasis on sound insulation and sound absorption, as well as basic aspects of noise and vibration problems associated with service equipment and external sound sources.
Measurement techniques relevant to these areas are also presented. The book is designed for advanced level engineering studies and is also valuable as a guide for practitioners and acoustical consultants who need to meet the requirements of building regulations.
The emphasis of the book is on the acoustical performance of buildings as derived from the performance of the various structural components. Consequently, the physical aspects of sound transmission and absorption need to be understood, and the main focus is on the design of elements and structures that provide high sound insulation and high absorption.
Three chapters are devoted to vibration phenomena and sound waves in fluid and solid media.
Education includes architectural acoustics, general noise abatement, and acoustic measurement techniques. This book is therefore, this book is primarily intended for engineering students, but can also be used as a reference work.
The book covers references to books, journal articles, and relevant international and European standards. The authors are acutely aware that the latter group is constantly being revised, but usually these references retain their numbers and should have a certain life span. Although this is primarily a translation of the Norwegian edition, it contains quite a lot of new material, especially in the chapter on sound absorbing materials, which has been of particular interest to me in recent years.
Being civil engineer I am interested in this book