course-details-portlet

TBM4321 - Building Acoustics

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
School exam 30/100 2 hours B
Portfolio 70/100

Course content

BUILDING ACOUSTICS (IN PRACTICE)

This course aims to deliver the necessary knowledge on theoretical background, technology, and practices of building acoustics for designing buildings and rooms so that the acoustic environment fulfils the requirements of community and users.

This course will deliver competence in i) understanding internal and external sound sources in buildings and ii) the use of theoretical and empirical methods to acoustically design buildings, to enhance integration of auditory comfort considerations in building practices.

The course will have two main axes: 1) Sound insulation and building elements detailing; 2) Room acoustics studies (e.g. music halls, restaurants etc). Fundamental concepts, user requirements in different building types, analysis and design methods and material technologies will be introduced along with relevant regulation and standards.

The course delivery will adopt a practice-based approach where students will have the chance to implement their learnings on the assigned project topic. Site trips and listening exercises will be organised to deliver experience-based knowledge. Periodical meetings with the sector (e.g. acoustic consultants, architects, material producers) will be organized, where students will get familiarised with "building acoustics" field in construction business and develop a multidisciplinary approach for their future career.

Students will be encouraged to adopt a "soundscape" approach to develop an awareness of the meaning of sounds in multisensory environments and to recognise their potentials as an interaction medium between user and the surrounding, in conveying meaningful messages and in building an identity.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

  1. Knowledge of acoustic criteria for different building types, common descriptors, regulations, and standards on acoustics
  2. Knowledge of basic theory and principles of noise control (e.g. against noises from users, service systems, outdoors), airborne and impact sound insulation in buildings.
  3. Knowledge of sound propagation, acoustic design of rooms and materials’ acoustic properties.
  4. Knowledge of auditory environment's physical, cultural, and societal role for humans and its effects on sound perception, health, and wellbeing.

Ability:

  1. Ability to critically analyse building design and its surrounding in relation to how they shape acoustic environments & user experience.
  2. Ability to implement acoustical principles, calculation methods and design support tools on acoustical design.
  3. Ability to develop building elements (e.g., facade elements, partitions), and material solutions (e.g., interior surfaces and furnishing) to meet acoustical performance requirements (sound insulation and room acoustics).
  4. Ability to understand a building as a "system" of spaces, building elements, components, materials, and installations; and develop optimized acoustic solutions between-scales.
  5. Ability to use technical terminology to research and develop acoustic solutions together with construction sector (consultants, material developers etc.).

Competence:

  1. Competence in analysing current technologies and acoustical applications; develop and search new, case-specific building solutions.
  2. Competence in communication in multi-disciplinary work environments with an enhanced comprehension of building acoustics’ multi-dimensionality and its interconnections to design, construction, and other building physics disciplines.
  3. Competence to develop auditory consciousness and empathy, have an understanding on acoustic environments’ role on human health, wellbeing, and sustainable cities.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, listening exercises, on-site sound trips at indoor and outdoor environments, sectoral meetings and seminars, project (in study groups)

Further on evaluation

*** This is a project-based course. Therefore, regular attendance to the course and study in the class is highly recommended. The continuous participation will also be beneficial for the group-project outcomes.

Required previous knowledge

TBM4222

Course materials

  • Marshall Long (2014) Architectural Acoustics, Elsevier
  • Jens Holger Rindel (2018) Sound Insulation in Buildings, Taylor & Francis
  • Tor Erik Vigran (2019) Building Acoustics, Routledge Taylor & Francis

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
TBA4167 7.5 AUTUMN 2022
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Second degree level

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2024

Language of instruction: English

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Build Acoustics
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Timetable

List view
Calendar view

Examination

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD School exam 30/100 B INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Autumn ORD Portfolio 70/100 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Summer UTS School exam 30/100 B INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

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