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Sound Performance on a Building

hazifahatechdesign
Aug 6
2 min read

Sound is an essential medium of communication between people, nature, transportation systems, and many other sources. However, in the built environment, constant exposure to noise is neither necessary nor desirable. For example, occupants generally do not want traffic or vehicle horn noise to spread throughout an entire building. Effective acoustic design helps control and reduce unwanted noise, creating a more comfortable and functional indoor environment.


Understanding Sound Behaviour

Sound is a vibration energy that travels through the air. When the vibration hits a wall surface, it causing the surface to vibrate and shakes the air in our room. So we hear some noise eventually !


1. First thing to know is, sound cannot travel in vacuum. It needs particles to vibrate to transmit energy.

2. Secondly, when sound travels to solid surface, minimal wavelength can still pass through depending on surface density and mass.

3. Sound can still pass through on even tiny little gaps on every installation joint

4. Finishing surface play role in reducing sound absortion/reflection


Key principle in sound transmission
Key principle in sound transmission

How sound pass a barrier ?

When sound hit a wall surface, what happen is:

  •  40% reflected back

  • 30% absorb into wall material

  • 30% transmitted to the other side


However, the amount of sound transmitted varies depending on the wall material, whether it is brick, glass, or concrete. The incorporation of sound-insulating materials can further reduce noise transmission, helping to create a quieter and more comfortable indoor environment.


Comparison of Sound Transmission in Curtain Wall and GRC Stone Façade
Comparison of Sound Transmission in Curtain Wall and GRC Stone Façade

 

As we delve deeper into façade acoustics, it is important to first understand the basic components of a curtain wall system. In curtain wall, there are 5 main paths where noise travels:

  1. Glazing

  2. Mullion joint

  3. Mullion hollow

  4. Transoms

  5. Perimeter joint


Among these pathways, steel components can be particularly effective at transmitting sound.


💡Did you know that sound travels much faster through steel than through air, reaching speeds of approximately 5,000 meters per second?

This characteristic plays an important role in the acoustic performance of curtain wall systems.


We will explore this topic in greater detail in our next post.

 
 
 

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