Obstacle Height Research Articles

Resonant surface waves in an oscillating periodic tank with a submerged hill

Experimental studies on the sloshing of fluid layers are usually performed in rectangular tanks with fixed boundaries. In contrast, the present study uses a 4.76-m-long circular channel, a geometry with open periodic boundaries. Surface waves are excited by means of a submerged hill that, together with the tank, performs a harmonic oscillation. Laboratory measurements are made using 18 ultrasonic probes, evenly distributed over the channel to track the wave propagation. It is shown that a two-dimensional long-wave numerical model derived via the Kármán–Pohlhausen approach reproduces the experimental data as long as the forcing is monochromatic. The sloshing experiments imply a highly complex surface wave field. Different wave types such as solitary waves, undular bores and antisolitary waves are observed. For order one $\delta _{hill} = h_{hill}/h_0$ , where $h_0$ is the mean water level and $h_{hill}$ the obstacle's height, the resonant reflections of solitary waves by the submerged obstacle give rise to an amplitude spectrum for which the main resonance peaks can be explained by linear theory. For smaller $\delta _{hill}$ , wave transmissions lead to major differences with respect to the more common cases of sloshing with closed ducts having fully reflective ends for which wave transmission through the end walls is not possible. This ultimately results in more complex resonance diagrams and a pattern formation that changes rather abruptly with the frequency. The experiments are of interest not only for engineering applications but also for tidal flows over bottom topography.

A multi-objective optimal control approach to motor strategy changes in older people with mild cognitive impairment during obstacle crossing.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may lead to difficulty maintaining postural stability and balance during locomotion. This heightened susceptibility to falls is particularly evident during tasks such as obstacle negotiation, which demands efficient motor planning and reallocation of attentional resources. This study proposed a multi-objective optimal control (MOOC) technique to assess the changes in motor control strategies during obstacle negotiation in older people affected by amnestic MCI. Motion data from 12 older adults with MCI and 12 controls when crossing obstacles were measured using a motion capture system, and used to obtain the control strategy of obstacle-crossing as the best compromise between the conflicting objectives of the MOOC problem, i.e., minimising mechanical energy expenditure and maximising foot-obstacle clearance. Comparisons of the weighting sets between groups and obstacle heights were performed using a two-way analysis of variance with a significance level of 0.05. Compared to the controls, the MCI group showed significantly lower best-compromise weightings for mechanical energy expenditure but greater best-compromise weightings for both heel- and toe-obstacle clearances. This altered strategy involved a trade-off, prioritising maximising foot-obstacle clearance at the expense of increased mechanical energy expenditure. The MCI group could successfully navigate obstacles with a normal foot-obstacle clearance but at the cost of higher mechanical energy expenditure. MCI alters the best-compromise strategy between minimising mechanical energy expenditure and maximising foot-obstacle clearances for obstacle-crossing in older people. These findings provide valuable insights into how MCI impacts motor tasks and offer potential strategies for mitigating fall risks in individuals with MCI. Moreover, this approach could serve as an assessment tool for early diagnosis and a more precise evaluation of disease progression. It may also have applications for individuals with impairments in other cognitive domains.

Optimization design of a two-step microreactor with spiral structure for high-performance catalytic reactions

Abstract In order to enhance the efficiency of diphenyldimethoxysilane preparation in microreactors, this study utilized the computational fluid dynamics simulation based on the finite element method to explore the impact of the internal structural parameters of the spiral two-step microreactor (STMR) on the reaction outcomes, with the aim of optimizing its structure for high-performance catalytic reactions. By designing a microreactor based on the Archimedean spiral shape and introducing two ribbed obstacles, the structure was optimized through adjusting the relevant ratios. The effects of different-sized structures and obstacles within the reaction zone and non-reaction zone on the product concentration and reaction results were discussed. The results demonstrate that lower obstacle heights and smaller aspect ratios (P = 2:7, R = 5:6) are beneficial for improving the reaction efficiency and product concentration. This study offers a theoretical foundation for microreactor design and is anticipated to further drive the development of microreactor technology.

Comparison of Differences in Kinetics of Elderly Women at Risk of Falling during Lumbar Stabilization Exercise per Obstacle Height

This study was performed to identify the kinetic and kinematic effects of the lumbar stabilization exercise on obstacle gait(5.2cm,15.2cm) among elderly women at risk of falls. The study subjects were 32 women aged 65 and over with a risk of falls identified by the Tinetti test. They were randomly allocated into 2 groups: the experimental group and the control group, and the lumbar stabilization exercise program was given to the experimental group for 12 weeks. The chi-square test and t-test were used to test homogeneity and compare baseline results of kinetic measurements on obstacle gait between the experimental and control groups. To identify the effects of the lumbar stabilization exercise program among study subjects, repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed. Regarding kinetic variables, the knee joint angle of the propulsion foot significantly increased when overcoming a 5.2cm obstacle. When overcoming a 15.2cm obstacle, the obstacle overcoming speed and the knee joint angles of the support and propulsion feet significantly increased. However, the shortest vertical distance between the support and propulsion feet was reduced considerably. Our findings suggest that lumbar stabilization exercises could be a promising therapeutic exercise method for fall prevention and management in elderly women at risk of falling, providing reassurance about the effectiveness of our study's findings and the potential benefits for the elderly and other patients requiring trunk stability.

Numerical analysis on performance evaluation of photovoltaic thermal systems using ternary hybrid nanofluids and forced convection around copper cylinders

This study evaluates the performance of a photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) system using forced convection and ternary hybrid nanofluids, comprising water with cobalt, zinc, and silver. The PV/T system includes a glass absorber, polycrystalline silicon, and a flow channel with eight copper cylinders, positioned at 20 %, 40 %, 60 %, and 80 % along the channel, both above and below the flow path for optimal thermal conductivity. The working fluid is modeled under turbulent, steady-state conditions using the κ−ε turbulence model.Numerical simulations via COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0 evaluate the system's thermal and fluid dynamics, focusing on local Nusselt numbers and photovoltaic cell thermal efficiency compared to a baseline. The investigation spans Reynolds numbers from 10,000 to 100,000, nanoparticle volume fractions of 1 %–20 %, and aspect ratios of 0.1–0.3. The aspect ratio in this study is defined as the ratio of the height of a square obstacle within the flow channel to the total height of the flow channel. A supervised machine learning framework develops predictive regression models for system analysis. Results show fluid force at the outlet increases by about 1200 % and 1300 % for aspect ratios of 0.1 and 0.3 as the Reynolds number rises. The Nusselt number enhances by 420 % and 466 % at a 20 % nanoparticle volume fraction for aspect ratios of 0.1 and 0.3, respectively, with a 9 % improvement in photovoltaic cell efficiency. This work uniquely applies machine learning to derive regression equations for fluid force, Nusselt number, and electrical efficiency, an approach not previously explored in laminar flow studies.

Design, Analysis, and Optimization Testing of a Novel Modular Walking Device for Pipeline Robots

This article investigates the limitations associated with traditional wheel-type pipeline walking devices, which are characterized by a single movement mode and an inability to navigate complex or irregular pipeline structures. A modular walking device (MWD) designed for pipeline robots was developed utilizing structural and mechanical analysis techniques. The reliability of the mechanical analysis was validated through single-factor dynamic testing. To analyze and optimize the factors influencing the maneuverability and obstacle-crossing capabilities of the MWD, a three-factor, three-level orthogonal testing method was utilized. The factors examined included the rotational speed of the walking wheel (RS), the pre-tightening force of the wheel brackets (PF), and the height of the annular obstacle (OH). The evaluation metrics used were the slip rate and passability. The results indicated that a parameter combination of RS at 70 rpm, PF at 30 N, and OH at 10 mm produced a slip rate of 11.6% ± 1.5%. During the obstacle traversal process, the remainder of the device maintained a safe distance from the obstacles, with only the walking wheel making contact. The verification testing also confirmed that the MWD is capable of executing three distinct modes of motion: rectilinear, rotational, and helical. The MWD designed and developed in this study can switch between multiple motion modes and successfully overcome obstacles within 15 mm, providing a new equipment for universities to enhance mechanized pipeline detection technology.

A linkage-type self-adaptive deformable tracked mechanism based on the six-bar mechanism

Abstract. In order to design a self-adaptive tracked mechanism that can passively adjust according to the height of different obstacles to improve its obstacle-crossing performance, this paper proposes a linkage-type self-adaptive deformable tracked mechanism. The mechanism based on the planar six-bar mechanism is proposed, and its motion modes and obstacle-crossing capabilities are analyzed. Firstly, based on the characteristics of self-adaptive deformation and the planar six-bar mechanism, a deformable single-degree-of-freedom (DOF) multi-loop mechanism is designed by limiting the DOF and adjusting the link lengths, and subsequently, a linkage-type self-adaptive deformable tracked mechanism module is designed according to the multi-loop mechanism. Secondly, the movement characteristics of the deformable tracked mechanism module are analyzed, and it is obtained that the tracked mechanism has two modes of movement: forward and reverse. These modes include deformable tracked-type obstacle crossing and rocker-arm-type obstacle crossing, respectively. Additionally, it is also obtained that this mechanism is capable of climbing up and descending down slopes. Finally, a prototype model is designed for experimental verification to verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis of the linkage-type self-adaptive deformable tracked mechanism and the feasibility of the obstacle-crossing modes. The results indicate that the linkage-type self-adaptive deformable tracked mechanism is capable of various obstacle-crossing modes, including both forward and reverse movements. These modes encompass the traditional tracked type, the deformable tracked type, and the rocker-arm type, as well as the ability to climb up and descend down slopes. This type of mechanism demonstrates excellent terrain adaptability and is capable of overcoming obstacles, allowing it to traverse some soft and rugged terrain. Consequently, it holds certain application potential.

Locomotion for Insect‐Scale Robots With Bionic Strategies: A Review

ABSTRACTInsect‐scale robots possess the advantageous traits of small size, lightweight, and high flexibility. These features make them suitable for complex, narrow, or higher‐than‐the‐ground environments, allowing these insect‐scale robots to become highly sought‐after research topics. However, the miniaturization of robots has brought challenges to improving their environmental adaptability, such as climbing and obstacle‐crossing abilities. Mainstream strategies inspired by natural creatures to address these challenges can be classified into two types: adhesion for climbing robots and multi‐motion modes for obstacle‐crossing robots. Adhesion is preferred for occasions requiring climbing slopes, walls, or ceilings. In contrast, multi‐motion modes are suitable for occasions with limited obstacle heights or complex terrains to enable miniaturization and cable‐free operation. This paper summarizes the current research on environment‐adaptable insect‐scale robots (EAISRs) with adhesion or multi‐motion modes. Then, the paper discusses the advantages, disadvantages, and application scenarios of EAISRs, including climbing robots with different adhesion strategies and obstacle‐crossing robots with various driving methods in detail. Finally, this paper proposes the future challenges and possible solutions for EAISRs, providing ideas for future interactions between insect‐scale robots and the environment.

Impact of plate-deflected flame on thermal runaway propagation of lithium-ion battery

Ceiling jet fire is a common phenomena in thermal runaway (TR) accidents of electric vehicle and energy storage power station scenarios based on lithium-ion battery, which is a potential risk of inducing large-scale fire spread in battery modules, but it is not been known clearly. This work investigates the influence of ceiling jet fire on TR propagation of lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NCM) battery module by arranging a ceiling-like obstacle directly above the tested module. A series of overheat-induced TR propagation tests under different height (H) of ceiling-like obstacle are conducted to gain better understanding of the heat transfer mechanism. The heat transfer and average heating power of ceiling jet fire to adjacent cells are determined for the first time. Results indicate the TR propagation speed of the module accelerates with the decrease of H, and the TR propagation speed inside the cell is not affected by ceiling jet fire. More importantly, the heat transferred from cell experiencing TR to adjacent cells through ceiling jet fire (Qfl) decreases from 11087.33 J to 7872.02 J, and the ratio of Qfl to the total heat released in TR (ΔEtot) declines from 4.02 % to 2.85 % as H increases from 5 to 15 cm. Finally, the change process of contact thermal resistance between adjacent cells and its relationship with heating power are revealed during TR propagation. This work provides a basic understanding of the influence mechanism of ceiling jet fire on TR propagation, which possess important guidance for the safety protection of lithium-ion battery system.

Applicability of the inverse dispersion method to measure emissions from animal housings

Abstract. Emissions from agricultural sources substantially contribute to global warming. The inverse dispersion method (IDM) has been successfully used for emission measurements from various agricultural sources. The IDM has also been validated in multiple studies with artificial gas releases mostly in open fields. Release experiments from buildings have rarely been conducted and were partly affected by additional nearby sources of the target gas. Specific release studies for naturally ventilated animal housings are lacking. In this study, a known and predefined amount of methane (CH4) was released from an artificial source inside a barn that mimicked a naturally ventilated dairy housing, and IDM recovery rates, using a backward Lagrangian stochastic (bLS) model, were determined. For concentration measurements, open-path devices (OPs) with a path length of 110 m were placed in a downwind direction of the barn at fetches of 2.0h, 5.3h, 8.6h, and 12h (h equals the height of the highest obstacle), and a 3D ultrasonic anemometer (UA) was placed in the middle of the first three OP paths. Upwind of the barn, an additional OP and a UA were installed. The median IDM recovery rates determined with the UA placed upwind of the barn and the downwind OP ranged between 0.55–0.75. It is concluded that, for the present study case, the effect of the building and a tree in the main wind axis led to a systematic underestimation of the IDM-derived emission rate probably due to deviations in the wind field and turbulent dispersion from the underlying assumptions of the used dispersion model.

Influence of Driver Eye Height and Obstacle Height on Sight Distance

Abstract Road traffic safety is a series of methods and measures aimed to reducing the risk of injury for road users. Road accidents are events that have an extremely strong socio-economic impact on society as a whole and directly on its members. The road is a basic component of the road safety system and is represented by the road and the area adjacent to it, which influences the flow of road traffic. Basically, the driver “reads” the road and based on that information adopts the behaviour, mainly speed. The road elements of the road and the homogeneity of these characteristics, visibility in curves, the layout of intersections, the uniformity and roughness of the road surface are only some of the essential elements of the traffic safety study at the design stage. But even on a very well-designed road, many accidents occur because of the other possible factors. The road elements characteristic of roads are the totality of the road components in plan view, elevation and cross section. In this case study, a section of road of technical class III was considered. The design speed of the road section studied is 80 km/h and the lane width is 3.50 m, according to the technical standards in force. The study was carried out for design speeds of 80 km/h and 60 km/h respectively, the height of the eyes will be considered as 1.00 m, 1.10 m, 1.20 m and 1.30 m, and for the height of the obstacle will have variable height, more precisely, for the speed of 80 km/h the heights will be 0.20 m, 0.40 m, 0.60 m, 0.80 m, 1.00 m, and for the speed of 60 km/h, they will be 0.00 m, 0.10 m, 0.20 m.

The effect of obstacle length and height in subcritical free-surface flow

Two-dimensional free-surface flow past a submerged rectangular disturbance in an open channel is considered. The forced Korteweg–de Vries model of Binder et al. (Theor Comput Fluid Dyn 20:125–144, 2006) is modified to examine the effect of varying obstacle length and height on the response of the free-surface. For a given obstacle height and flow rate in the subcritical flow regime an analysis of the steady solutions in the phase plane of the problem determines a countably infinite set of discrete obstacle lengths for which there are no waves downstream of the obstacle. A rich structure of nonlinear behaviour is also found as the height of the obstacle approaches critical values in the steady problem. The stability of the steady solutions is investigated numerically in the time-dependent problem with a pseudospectral method.

Reliability of Obstacle-Crossing Parameters during Overground Walking in Young Adults.

We aimed to evaluate the intra-session relative and absolute reliability of obstacle-crossing parameters during overground walking in young adults, and to determine the number of trials required to ensure reliable assessment. We analysed data from 43 young male adults who were instructed to walk at a self-selected velocity on a pathway and to step over an obstacle (height = 15 cm; width = 80 cm, thickness = 2 cm) three times. Spatial-temporal gait parameters of the approaching and crossing phases (i.e., before and after the obstacle) and obstacle clearance parameters (i.e., vertical and horizontal distance between the foot and the obstacle during crossing) were computed using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to compute the relative reliability, while standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change were used to assess the absolute reliability for all possible combinations between trials. Results showed that most spatial-temporal gait parameters and obstacle clearance parameters are reliable using the average of three trials. However, the mean of the second and third trials ensures the best relative and absolute reliabilities of most obstacle-crossing parameters. Further works are needed to generalize these results in more realistic conditions and in other populations.

Effect of hyperthermia on simulated muscle activation in female when crossing obstacle

It is well known that hyperthermia greatly impairs neuromuscular function and dynamic balance. However, whether a greater level of hyperthermia could potentially alter the lower limb simulated muscle activation when crossing an obstacle in female participants remains unknown. Therefore we examined the effect of a systematic increase in oral temperature on lower limb simulated muscle activation when crossing an obstacle in female participants. Eighteen female participants were recruited where they underwent a control trial (Con) and two progressive passive heating trials with Δ 1°C and Δ 2°C increase of oral temperature (Toral) using a 45°C water bath. In each trial, we assessed lower limb simulated muscle activation when crossing an obstacle height of 10%, 20%, and 30% of the participant’s leg length and toe-off, toe-above-obstacle and heel-strike events were identified and analyzed. In all events, the lower limb simulated muscle activation were greater in Δ2°C than Δ1°C and Con when both leading and trailing limbs crossed the obstacle height of 20% and 30% leg length (all p < 0.001). However, the lower limb simulated muscle activation were not different between Δ1°C and Con across all obstacle heights (p > 0.05). This study concluded that a greater level of hyperthermia resulted in a greater lower limb simulated muscle activation to ensure safety and stability when females cross an obstacle height of 20% leg length or higher.

Experimental study of extinguishing shielded fires by a low-pressure multi-orifice water mist nozzle

The performance of a water mist system to suppress shielded fires is analyzed experimentally in this work. The diesel pool fire is used as the fire source in an enclosure with 2.4 m × 2.4 m × 3.1 m measurements, and a mechanism is designed to provide different shielding conditions by changing the obstacle size and height. The characteristics of a low-pressure multi-orifice nozzle including the drop diameter and the velocity are studied by a Phase Doppler Particle Analyzer (PDPA) system. In total, 10 cases with diverse shielding conditions are defined and different parameters including the temperature distribution, the gas concentrations, and the extinguishing time are measured. Based on the present data, mist droplets in some shielded fire scenarios were able to bypass the obstacle, overcome the fire plume thrust, and suppress the fire. In fire scenarios with the same obstruction size, the reduction of the distance between the obstacle and the nozzle led to an increased block ratio and consequently, the extinguishing time was decreased. It was found that the temperatures in the central axis above the fire and the lateral temperatures declined quickly in cases with short suppression time.

W-Leg Jumping Robot: Mechanical Design, Dynamical Analysis and Simulation of Jumping Dual Wheel-Leg Hybrid Robot

This study primarily focuses on design, mathematically model and simulate a novel two wheel-legged hybrid robot called W-Leg Jumping robot, which has a unique ability to overcome step-like obstacles efficiently. In general, in transformable wheel-leg robot studies, the leg and wheel structure perform their movements in an interdependent manner. However, in this study, it is aimed to design a robot in which the leg and wheel structure can move independently of each other and to develop a robot that can easily overcome obstacles on flat surfaces with the wheel mode and with the leg mode. The robot can fold its legs hidden within the wheels and deploy its two degree of freedom (DoF) legs when it detects step-like obstacles. This mechanism allows the robot to overcome an obstacle with a height of twice the radius of the robot's open/close mechanism of the legs, along with the two-dimensional kinematic and dynamic analyzes of the legs, are presented in detail within the scope of this study proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller is designed to control the joint angles of the legs. The reference angle values to be followed according to the height of the obstacle are determined using artificial neural network (ANN). Additionally, motion simulations of the robot are conducted for four different obstacle heights (20, 30, 40, and 50 cm). As a result of the PID controller, when exceeding the highest obstacle of 50 cm, the average absolute joint angular tracking error is max. 1.8829°, average tracking error max. 0.265 s and max.

Impact radius of light oil pipeline leakage under different operating conditions

This study investigated the impact range of pipeline leaks for light oil pipelines under different operating conditions. Three different calculation methods were employed to study the influence of various factors, including obstacle height, wind speed, leak hole diameter, and slope, on the leak impact range of flowing fires, pool fires, and overpressure waves. The results indicate that the impact range decreases as the height of obstacles increases. The most significant decrease occurs when obstacles are 2 meters high, and further increasing the obstacle height leads to a less pronounced decrease. Wind speed has a complex influence on the impact range. For flowing fires, the impact range initially increases and then decreases with higher wind speeds. For pool fires, a higher wind speed leads to a larger impact range, while for overpressure waves, higher wind speeds result in a smaller impact range. Larger leak hole diameters lead to larger impact ranges for both fire radiation and overpressure waves. Increasing the environmental slope has a slight effect on the impact range. Sensitivity analysis indicates that wind speed has the most significant impact, followed by leak hole diameter, while the environmental slope has the least influence on the impact range.

Heat transfer and flow behavior in solar thermal collector equipped with obstacles

Solar energy, an inherently pure and abundant source of power, is integral to a myriad of daily activities. Among the various solar thermal systems, Solar Air Heaters (SAHs) are often esteemed for their economic viability and practical utility in heating spaces and drying the products.. However, sometimes the conventional SAHs are criticized for their poor performance and capability in heat transfer, making them not well organized in application. The introduction of a new method of improvement in the efficiency of heat transfer in SAHs using carefully designed obstacles with sharp corners is presented in this paper. The obstacles are conceptualized in a Triangular winglet configuration, type-based on the following: Type 1 (Single Triangular winglet), Type 2 (Dual Triangular winglet), Type 3 (Triple Triangular winglet), and Type 4 (Quadruple Triangular winglet). The setups' empirical configurations were processed for the SAH duct where the experiments were executed with a Reynolds number (Re) up to 2000 to 16,000. The obstacle parameters such as the relative transverse pitch (Pt/b), relative obstacle height (e/H), and the relative longitudinal pitch ratio (Pl/e) were clearly maintained at 4, 0.5, and 4, respectively. From the experiments, the Nusselt number was found to be significantly enhanced, up to 3.85 for the Type 3 obstacle configuration. The Thermohydraulic Performance Parameter (η) also showed a strong value for all obstacle configurations that eventually reaches a peak value of 2.29, hence presenting a comprehensive performance for heat transfer efficiency and hydraulic performance within the SAH system.

Vision-Locomotion Coordination Control for a Powered Lower-Limb Prosthesis Using Fuzzy-Based Dynamic Movement Primitives

An amputee cannot directly use the perceptual visual information to control the movements and gait patterns of his worn prosthesis. In order to help an amputee walk and cross over obstacles smoothly, the paper proposes a vision-locomotion coordination control method for a powered lower-limb prosthesis (PLLP), in which a vision system is proposed to detect obstacles, and a complete vision-locomotion loop is then constructed. With deep learning techniques, the vision system can recognize common obstacles (e.g., garbage cans, bricks and boxes) and obtain the features of obstacles (e.g., distance from obstacles to the depth camera and height of obstacles). Through integrating the vision system into the locomotion control system, the PLLP can make obstacle avoidance decisions and use dynamic movement primitives with type-2 fuzzy models (T2FDMPs) to help amputees cross over obstacles simultaneously. Utilizing the type-2 fuzzy models, smooth trajectories for crossing over obstacles can be obtained. The experimental results show that the PLLP with visual information can switch an amputee’s gaits between level walking and obstacle avoidance adaptively, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the vision-locomotion coordination control system. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Note to Practitioners</i> —The paper is motivated by the challenge of obstacle avoidance of prostheses. Traditional prostheses cannot achieve autonomous obstacle avoidance because they lack of environmental perception capability. In addition, most prostheses always utilize use the human-robot interaction between amputees and prostheses to recognize the environments. However, due to noise and individual differences, recognition results are not accurate enough. We found that the integration of vision can improve the accuracy and efficiency of environmental recognition. Therefore, it is necessary to construct a complete vision and locomotion closed-loop. In the paper, a vision-locomotion coordination control is proposed, and to make the PLLP cross over obstacles smoothly, a novel trajectory shaping with fuzzy-based dynamic movement primitives is developed. The coordination control is partitioned into the obstacle detection, trajectory shaping and joint control, which can help the PLLP fulfill several obstacle avoidance tasks.

The effect of layout placement on acoustic conditions in call centers: Evaluations within the scope of an example

This article aimed to provide auditory comfort conditions in call centers where the noise problem is very high and its use is increasing day by day. Since there are no partition walls in such places, noises from conversations, telephones and other office equipment, footsteps, air conditioning and lighting, office equipment (fax machines, printers, etc.), and noise from outside can reduce working efficiency and sometimes cause serious health problems. To assess this situation, the current noise levels situation in a call center were revealed with the help of observation, survey, measurement, and simulation. The number of personnel in the volume, different layout models, surface absorption, and obstacle heights were analyzed through the simulation program and appropriate call center models were obtained in terms of acoustic comfort. By taking the models as a reference, noise level maps have been prepared according to different frequency spectrums. When the noise maps are evaluated, while the call center noise level is 60 dBA in the current situation, it has decreased to 45–53 dBA noise levels as a result of the settlement proposal where the employees are facing in opposite directions in pairs. There has been a reduction in noise level of approximately 16%. As a result of the study, the measures to be taken to improve the auditory environment were determined within the scope of architectural and acoustic design, and results were obtained to guide the designers.