Application of Acoustic Materials in Civil Engineering

Abstract

Excessive noise energy over 60 dB is found to be disturbing and any noise over 75 dB can be considered as noisy. Exposure to an extreme noise can be a health risk and can cause significant hearing problem. Sound proofing is an important aspect for maintaining the health and well-being of the occupants of residential or commercial dwellers as well as to minimize disturbances to the neighbourhood. The acoustic retrofitting or acoustic treatments are commonly used for domestic, residential or populated buildings in order to absorb unwanted noise echoing and to confine sound energy inside the room. Noise walls and improved pavement materials are widely used to attenuate highway and freeway noise whilst aerated concrete and concrete walls are commonly used in buildings to prevent aeroplane noise from entering into residential buildings. Acoustic baffle systems and panels are commonly used in public areas and commercial buildings. Most of the Environmental Protection Authorities (EPA) around the world have regulations for residential noise, originated from vehicles, lawn mowers, electrical tools, domestic heating/coolers and radio or sound systems to ease neighbourhood noise. This chapter reviews various sound proofing applications used in Civil and Building Engineering as well as common materials used by the industry.