Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
3.4
3.1
Journals
Buildings
Special Issues
Advanced Research on Improvement of the Indoor Acoustic Environment
share announcement

Advanced Research on Improvement of the Indoor Acoustic Environment

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 January 2025 | Viewed by 9154

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ángel Fermín Ramos Ridao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: architectural and environmental acoustics; acoustic sustainability; soundscape; circular economy; environmental impact assessments
Prof. Dr. Diego Pablo Ruiz Padillo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Applied Physics, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: environmental data processing and modelling; air quality; acoustics; physical risks; climate change; environmental pollution and its modelling; energy efficiency in buildings; circular economy; green technologies; renewable energy; building information modelling; acoustic sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Our lives take place inside and around buildings, where we live, rest, enjoy leisure and culture, pray, etc. The quality of our living spaces depends on their design and the integration of critical variables, including their acoustic quality. In this Special Issue, we welcome original research related to soundproofing insulation, acoustic conditioning, soundscapes, land use and planning, the incorporation of novel technologies and materials, and new computational tools that demand an assessment of their effectiveness. In order to improve the quality standards of buildings, the submission of research focusing on clear guidelines for practical actions in buildings, and new tools for enhancing our knowledge of the possible implications of these actions linked to indoor thermal and visual comfort, is anticipated for this Special Issue. Of interest, therefore, is any research that enables one to assess or evaluate the impact that acoustic measures have on other aspects of building usability and habitability, as well as on the building envelope and its interaction with the urban environment it is located within, both in working spaces and dwellings. In the framework of acoustic sustainability, novel research linked to acoustic sustainability in building design and construction, considering aspects such as energy efficiency, the application of environmentally friendly materials and the environmental impact of noise, is also the subject of this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Ángel Fermín Ramos Ridao
Prof. Dr. Diego Pablo Ruiz Padillo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • room and indoor acoustics 
  • architectural design for noise control 
  • acoustic conditioning and materials
  • acoustic modelling and simulation 
  • emerging technologies for building insulation
  • acoustic sustainability 
  • urban acoustics
  • soundscapes
  • psycho-acoustic
  • virtual reality technology

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Other

24 pages, 865 KiB  
Article
The Noise: A Silent Threat to the Recovery of Patients in Neonatal Intensive Care Units
by Víctor M. Rodríguez-Montaño, Virginia Puyana-Romero, Ricardo Hernández-Molina and Juan L. Beira-Jiménez
Buildings 2024, 14(9), 2778; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092778 - 4 Sep 2024
Viewed by 843
Abstract
The architectural configuration of the space plays a crucial role in the acoustics of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The design of the environment, the materials used in construction, and the organisation of noise sources within the room significantly influence the noise levels [...] Read more.
The architectural configuration of the space plays a crucial role in the acoustics of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The design of the environment, the materials used in construction, and the organisation of noise sources within the room significantly influence the noise levels present in these critical areas. For this research, the noise levels found in two hospitals, with different architectural configurations and sizes but similar construction materials, have been analysed. Data were recorded at 1 s intervals over a period of more than 24 h. The data collected in these hospitals confirm the magnitude of the noise problem in NICUs, highlighting the urgent need to address it effectively to ensure an appropriate and safe environment for the recovery of neonates. Good architectural planning can help mitigate noise, while poor configuration can exacerbate acoustic problems, negatively affecting both patients and healthcare staff. It is crucial to involve architects, acoustic engineers, and healthcare staff in the design and renovation of NICUs to create spaces that not only meet medical needs but also consider the auditory well-being of neonates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on Improvement of the Indoor Acoustic Environment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 6819 KiB  
Article
Thermo-Acoustic Properties of Four Natural Fibers, Musa textilis, Furcraea andina, Cocos nucifera, and Schoenoplectus californicus, for Building Applications
by Luis Bravo-Moncayo, Marcelo Argotti-Gómez, Oscar Jara, Virginia Puyana-Romero, Giuseppe Ciaburro and Víctor H. Guerrero
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2265; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082265 - 23 Jul 2024
Viewed by 4550
Abstract
Natural and bio-based construction materials such as bamboo, cork, or natural fiber composites offer a promising solution for enhancing the environmental sustainability of buildings. In this sense, the paper presents an experimental thermo-acoustic characterization of four common Ecuadorian natural fibers, abaca (Musa [...] Read more.
Natural and bio-based construction materials such as bamboo, cork, or natural fiber composites offer a promising solution for enhancing the environmental sustainability of buildings. In this sense, the paper presents an experimental thermo-acoustic characterization of four common Ecuadorian natural fibers, abaca (Musa textilis), cabuya (Furcraea andina), coir (Cocos nucifera), and totora (Schoenoplectus californicus). Different densities were considered, from 85 kg/m3 (Cabuya) to 244 kg/m3 (totora), to thermo-acoustically characterize the samples built with these fibers, by means of the guarded-hot-plate (GHP) and impedance tube methods in-lab experimental benches. The exhaustive original characterization of the evaluated natural fiber composites showed a promising overall thermo-acoustic behavior. The thermal conductivity of the fibers was around 0.04–0.06 W/m·K and, therefore, comparable to other materials such as polystyrene, polyurethane, or aerogel that are already utilized for similar applications. On the other hand, the sound-absorption properties of the evaluated fibers are also very competitive, but strongly affected by the thickness of the sample, with noise reduction coefficient NRC ranging from 0.12 to 0.53. Consequently, the production and distribution of these materials in the Ecuadorian market for thermal insulation and acoustic conditioning constitute an alternative characterized by good technical performance, which, compared to synthetic composites used in the construction industry for similar duties, is ecological, sustainable, and has low built-in energy consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on Improvement of the Indoor Acoustic Environment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 8278 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Soundscape Characteristics of Historical Urban Environments: An Analysis of the Historical Erbil Citadel and Its Environments
by Asmaa Ahmed Mustafa Jaff, Çilen Erçin and Zeynep Onur
Buildings 2023, 13(12), 3091; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13123091 - 13 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1566
Abstract
This research addresses the neglect of sensory features, specifically the soundscape, in studies focused on preserving historic areas. The aim was to contribute to soundscape research by examining the effect of sound on the perception of urban historical places and the impact of [...] Read more.
This research addresses the neglect of sensory features, specifically the soundscape, in studies focused on preserving historic areas. The aim was to contribute to soundscape research by examining the effect of sound on the perception of urban historical places and the impact of the “renewal and transformation” process on audio-visual experiences. This study focused on the historical Erbil Citadel as a case study area, known for its extensive cultural history. Sound sources in the region were identified, recorded, and analyzed using software to calculate the Sound Pressure Level (SPL). The sound sources assessed as a result of the analysis were examined using Schafer’s sound characteristics. In this study, data was collected through a soundwalk study in the historical Erbil Citadel, and its surroundings were identified. The characteristics of the sounds were determined from the sound recordings, enabling the distinction of sounds contributing to the city’s identity. A route was established in its current state, and it was identified which regional precautions should be taken to preserve the sound identity of the city. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on Improvement of the Indoor Acoustic Environment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

41 pages, 2056 KiB  
Systematic Review
Exploring Soundscape Assessment Methods in Office Environments: A Systematic Review
by Zulfi Rachman, Francesco Aletta and Jian Kang
Buildings 2024, 14(11), 3408; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14113408 - 26 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1397
Abstract
The application of the soundscape approach is becoming increasingly prevalent in the evaluation of indoor acoustic environments, including office environments. However, the formalisation and standardisation of soundscape assessment methods for offices remain in the early stages, highlighting the need for further development. This [...] Read more.
The application of the soundscape approach is becoming increasingly prevalent in the evaluation of indoor acoustic environments, including office environments. However, the formalisation and standardisation of soundscape assessment methods for offices remain in the early stages, highlighting the need for further development. This systematic review explores the methods and factors involved in soundscape assessments within office environments, which are intended to contribute to creating or improving comprehensive and widely accepted protocols. This review includes 41 studies, revealing that questionnaires (n = 36) are the most commonly used subjective tools, occasionally supplemented by interviews (n = 1). Some studies employ a combination of questionnaire and interview (n = 2), questionnaire and discussion (n = 1), or all three methods—questionnaire, interview, and discussion (n = 1). Meanwhile, direct acoustic measurements (n = 28) and cognitive tasks (n = 14) are often employed for objective evaluations. Additionally, the review categorises factors involved in objective and subjective soundscape assessments into acoustic and non-acoustic elements. It also identifies tools frequently used to assess the correlation between soundscapes and physical and psychological well-being. Collectively, this review underscores the critical factors for comprehensive soundscape assessments in office environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on Improvement of the Indoor Acoustic Environment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop