Simulation & Analysis > Heavenly Rooms (HR)
About
Acoustic quality has a significant effect on general satisfaction by building occupants. Acoustics is the only category where the performance is worse in new green buildings compared to conventional buildings and it is the category with the lowest occupancy satisfaction ratings in all buildings. This is in part caused by the increasing emphasis on open office floor plans and operable windows.
Porous absorbers play a major role in attenuating noises in enclosed spaces. However, their efficiency significantly decreases in the low-frequency range. If they were to be used to mitigate whisper or buzzing noises in an open office, they would have to be, at least, 2 feet thick to have an impact on the indoor noise levels.
Resonant absorbers, on the other hand, are good at dampening noise in the low-frequency range. This research project focuses on the noise attenuation capabilities of Helmholtz resonators. A Helmholtz resonator (HR) is equivalent to an empty bottle with an open mouth. The principle that produces sound when one blows over an empty bottle is the same in the working of a HR, but works towards removing the sound instead of producing it. This is a passive technique (without the need for electric circuits) to absorb the sound.
The research project is on the design of a panel composed of HR resonators which varying geometry to achieve a broadband sound absorption. The application of such a panel in open-offices is discussed along with strategies and recommendations to achieve quality acoustics without having to revert back to conventional offices.
Related Publications
- Design of efficient low-frequency sound absorbers using an array of Helmholtz Resonators (2020) [Papers]
- Helmholtz Resonators in Open Office Acoustics (2020) [MS Theses]
- Use of Helmholtz resonators for noise attenuation (2020) [White Papers]