Assessing Wind Impact on Noise Level Measurements for Application in Architectural Acoustics: A Preliminary Study

M Ocholi ,E.E Iheonu,K.E Ibe,E.e Ameh

doi:10.36263/nijest.2021.02.0290

M Ocholi , E.E Iheonu + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.36263/nijest.2021.02.0290

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Abstract

In this study, we have used wind data obtained from an earlier work covering several locations in Nigeria to estimate the possible impact of wind on sound pressure levels. Estimated Weibull parameters were used to compute the most probable wind speed, the average wind speed and the duration for which wind speed exceeds or equal the most probable speed. Adopting the proposed criteria that wind is able to strengthen or weaken sound pressure levels by 3dB depending on wind direction, the effect of wind on sound pressure level was determined. Results showed that wind effect seemed more predominant for the sub-sahelian stations such as Sokoto, Kano, and Maiduguri where the impact was found to be +/- 3dB obviously due to the characteristic high wind speeds recorded at those stations. The situation is almost the same for the midland region except that moderate impacts were found in some of the stations like Yola, Yelwa and Bauchi. However, moderate wind impacts generally characterize the Guinea Savannah and the coastal regions with the exception of Enugu with an impact of +/- 3dB. The result for Warri was found to be insignificant. It was concluded that most locations within the Nigerian environment may attain the wind conditions that would necessitate an adjustment in noise level measurements for application in architectural acoustics. In order to further validate the results of this preliminary study, it was recommended that detailed field survey where all relevant parameters such as wind speeds, wind directions and noise levels are simultaneously measured be conducted.

Highlights

Environmental noise as a polluting agent poses significant threat to the quality of life in most industrialized and industrializing nations (Ovenden et al, 2009; Srimanta and Chitralekha, 2011)
We propose an adaptation of a formulation given by Diamant (1986) to selected locations within the Nigerian environment for design of acoustically sound architecture taking into consideration the effect of wind conditions
This observation tends to suggest that the wind impact at all the study stations except Warri is not dependent on the period of the day

Summary

Introduction

Environmental noise as a polluting agent poses significant threat to the quality of life in most industrialized and industrializing nations (Ovenden et al, 2009; Srimanta and Chitralekha, 2011) In developing countries such as Nigeria, noise pollution is never considered to be a dangerous phenomenon with the associated adverse effect on the life of people especially in urban dwellings where it is usually predominant in view of the obvious societal lifestyle which tend to promote a noisy environment (Ighoroje et al, 2004; Abam and Unwachukwu, 2009). The acoustical environment of practically any architectural space ought to be evaluated

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