Project 26 - Sound Structural Transmission

Many airport authorities have implemented a sound insulation program for residences located within the Community Noise Equivalent Level contour of 65 dBA. The effectiveness of this approach is ensured by sealing building envelopes. Increased sound insulation generally improves thermal insulation and lowers energy demand. However, this traditional method of noise mitigation has a side effect: it degrades indoor air quality (IAQ), because most of these buildings obtain their fresh air through infiltration. With reduced infiltration, contaminant concentration and humidity increases. High humidity leads to a higher risk of condensation that, in turn, can lead to other IAQ problems such mold and bacteria growth. Although IAQ problems may be mitigated by using a mechanical ventilation system, such an action increases construction costs and subsequent energy use. The purpose of Project 26 was to investigate windows' environmental performance because the windows in a residential building are often considered the weakest link in the sound insulation program. Our current efforts represent a step to achieve an optimal solution for providing sound insulation while the improving the IAQ and energy efficiency for residential buildings near airports.

• Record URL:
  http://partner.mit.edu/projects/sound-transmission-indoors-%E2%80%94-integrated-windows
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Program Information: Energy and Environment, Noise Impacts and Mitigation. Final Report available at: http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/54000/54400/54457/proj26-final.pdf

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $210000.00
• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Aviation Administration

  800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Project Managers:

  Hileman, James

  Maurice, Lourdes

• Performing Organizations:

  Purdue University, West Lafayette

  610 Purdue Mall
  West Lafayette, IN  United States  47907-2040
• Principal Investigators:

  Waitz, Ian

• Start Date: 20120510
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• Source Data: RiP Project 30577

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft noise; Airport noise; Dwellings; Environmental impacts; Noise; Sound transmission; Windows (Buildings)
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Environment; Terminals and Facilities; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01572520
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Department of Transportation
• Files: RIP
• Created Date: Aug 8 2015 1:01AM