Estimation methodology for three-dimensional acoustic modeling: Predicting surf noise soundscapes in coastal urban environments

Abstract

This research develops an estimation methodology for coastal surf noise soundscapes for implementation in three-dimensional acoustic modeling to improve communication of acoustic design and for assessment with sustainability, wellness and acoustic standards. As sustainability standards include more parameters relating to soundscapes, it is becoming increasing important to develop methods of communicating acoustics to designers in the built environment. Three-dimensional acoustic modeling provides a graphical tool for designers to engage with and understand the impacts multidisciplinary engineering and design decisions have on the soundscape of different parts of a project. As a nation with many coastal urban environments, the view, scents and sounds are all marketing and wellness points for residential and commercial projects. The methodology includes consideration of typical software-agnostic three-dimensional modeling inputs, capabilities and graphical outputs as well as the primary variables that influence measurement and prediction of coastal surf noise in relation to the constant environmental noise. Coast surf noise measurements have been collected and undertaken as part of this work and the data within the method may be updated for most locally measured data. This research aims to enhance the demonstration of soundscapes, facilitating more informed decision-making fostering sustainable development in acoustics, engineering and design.