Architectural Acoustics

Architectural Acoustics, Second Edition presents a thorough technical overview of the discipline, from basic concepts to specific design advice. Beginning with a brief history, it reviews the fundamentals of acoustics, human perception and reaction to sound, acoustic noise measurements, noise metrics, and environmental noise characterization. In-depth treatment is given to the theoretical principles and practical applications of wave acoustics, sound transmission, vibration and vibration isolation, and noise transmission in floors and mechanical systems.

Chapters on specific design problems demonstrate how to apply the theory, including treatment of multifamily dwellings, office buildings, rooms for speech, rooms for music, multipurpose rooms, auditoriums, sanctuaries, studios, listening rooms, and the design of sound reinforcement systems. Detailed figures illustrate the practical applications of acoustic principles, showing how to implement design ideas in actual structures.

This compendium of theoretical and practical design information brings the relevant concepts, equations, techniques, and specific design problems together in one place, including both fundamentals and more advanced material. Practicing engineers will find it an invaluable reference for their daily work, while advanced students will appreciate its rigorous treatment of the basic building blocks of acoustical theory.

Considered the most complete resource in the field – includes basic fundamental relations, derived from first principles, and examples needed to solve real engineering problems.Provides a well-organized text for students first approaching the subject as well as a reliable reference for experienced practitioners looking to refresh their technical knowledge base.New content for developing professionals includes case studies and coverage of specific focus areas such as audio visual design, theaters, and concert halls.

1. Historical Introduction 2. Fundamentals of Acoustics 3. Human Perception and Reaction to Sound 4. Acoustic Measurements and Noise Metrics 5. Environmental Noise 6. Wave Acoustics 7. Sound and Solid Surfaces 8. Sound in Enclosed Spaces 9. Sound Transmission Loss 10. Sound Transmission in Buildings 11. Vibration and Vibration Isolation 12. Noise Transmission in Floor Systems 13. Noise in Mechanical Systems 14. Sound Attenuation in Ducts 15. Design and Construction of Multifamily Dwellings 16. Design and Construction of Office Buildings  17. Design of Rooms for Speech 18. Sound Reinforcement Systems 19. Design of Rooms for Music 20. Design of Multipurpose Auditoria and Sanctuaries 21. Design of Studios and Listening Rooms 22. Acoustic Modeling, Ray Tracing, and Auralization