Conference Papers by Elizabeth Valmont
Proceedings of CISBAT 2013 International Conference Poster Session A at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
This study assesses and validates the influence of measuring noise levels in the urban environmen... more This study assesses and validates the influence of measuring noise levels in the urban environment, site parameters, and glass façade components in responsively reducing sound transmission to the indoor environment. Among the most reported issues affecting workspaces, increased awareness to minimize noise led designers to reconsider the design of building envelopes and its site environment. Outdoor sound conditions, such as traffic noise, challenge building designers to accurately estimate the capability of glass façades in acquiring an appropriate indoor sound quality. Indicating the density of the urban environment, field- tests acquired existing sound levels in areas of high employment and traffic activity, establishing a baseline for sound levels common in urban areas. In this study, the city of Los Angeles is used to assess existing soundscapes common in urban areas. Field-measurements for sound transmission loss can establish a baseline performance in a context for sound levels common in urban areas. INSUL is a sound insulation software utilized as an informative tool correlating glass façade parameters with outdoor sound levels based on ISO 717 to predict indoor sound levels. Composed from the sound transmission loss of glass facades simulated through INSUL, results are utilized as an informative tool correlating glass façade components to respond to outdoor sound levels of a project site, achieving desired indoor sound levels based on occupancy. Field-measured sites in Los Angeles indicate the density and activity of the area and responds to the need in emphasizing the influence of site parameters in order to respond sound transmission from outdoor sound sources. This study also progresses to link the disconnection in validating the acoustic performance of building facades early in a project’s design, from conditioned settings, such as field-testing and simulations, to project completion. Results from the study supports that acoustic comfort is not limited to a singular solution, but multiple design options responsive to its environment.
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Conference Papers by Elizabeth Valmont