Course detail

Room Acoustics

FAST-NHB051Acad. year: 2027/2028

The course provides a comprehensive overview of acoustics in construction and architecture, with practical links to other areas of building physics. It covers three main acoustic domains: room acoustics (sound propagation in enclosed spaces, reverberation time, speech intelligibility, use of simulation software), building acoustics (airborne and impact sound insulation of building structures, design and detailing of separating and external assemblies), and urban/environmental acoustics (noise propagation in open spaces, noise from traffic and stationary sources, regulatory limits). Instruction combines theoretical foundations with practical exercises: students gain hands-on experience with real-world acoustic measurements, calculation methods, the resolution of critical construction details, and advanced computer modeling using the ODEON software. Throughout the course, the content is aligned with students' ongoing master's thesis projects, enabling them to apply the knowledge gained to their projects.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Jitka Mohelníková, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Building Structures (PST)

Entry knowledge

Fundamental overview of building physics: general knowledge of fundamental physical quantities and principles (acoustics, solar exposure, lighting) at the level of a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or architecture. Reading project documentation: Ability to interpret building construction drawings (floor plans, sections, structural details). Basic PC skills: Ability to use standard CAD/BIM software (for preparing geometry for the ODEON simulation program).

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Final evaluation on basis of consulted and completed reports and passed exam. Clasification according to ECTS degree at the BUT Brno.


Extent and forms are specified by guarantor’s regulation updated for every academic year.

Aims

- Professional knowledge:

The aim of the course is to build upon fundamental knowledge of building physics and provide students with information regarding building acoustics assessments, as well as the evaluation of daylighting and sunlight exposure in buildings.

- Professional skills:

  • Design and assessment of spaces regarding to acoustic parameters for speech and music quality indoors.
  • Proper design of building structures for airborne and impact sound insulation during the project documentation phase.
  • Identification and resolution of acoustic issues in practice.
  • Use of measurement equipment and standard methodologies for noise and sound insulation assessment.
  • Modeling in specialized acoustic software (ODEON).
  • Comprehensive building physics solutions related to the specific diploma thesis (including consultations on daylighting and sunlight exposure).

- Professional competencies:

Student are able to perform basic assessments of building acoustics, daylighting, and sunlight exposure as part of their projects and diploma theses.

Study aids

Legal regulations:

Act No. 258/2000 Coll.: The overarching Act on the Protection of Public Health.

Government Decree No. 272/2011 Coll. (on the protection of health against the adverse effects of noise and vibrations).

Technical standards:

  1. EN ISO 717-1:2021 Acoustics - Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements - Part 1: Airborne sound insulation.
  2. Acoustics - Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements - Part 2: Impact sound insulation. 
  3. EN ISO 12354-1:2018 Building acoustics - Estimation of acoustic performance of buildings from the performance of elements - Part 1: Airborne sound insulation between rooms.
  4. EN ISO 12354-2:2018 Building acoustics - Estimation of acoustic performance of buildings from the performance of elements - Part 2: Impact sound insulation between rooms.
  5. ČSN EN 17037:2023 Daylight in Buildings.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme NPC-SIS Master's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Jitka Mohelníková, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Sound waves, diffuse fields. Wave, geometric, and statistical theories of acoustics. Criteria for speech intelligibility and reverberation time.
  2. Room acoustics materials and elements: Sound-absorbing materials, assessment of speech quality, design of acoustic treatments and construction details.
  3. Room acoustics measurement methodology: Measurement procedures, standard requirements, and data analysis.
  4. Computer simulation of room acoustics: Fundamentals and modeling of enclosed spaces using ODEON software.
  5. Building acoustics and sound insulation properties: Principles of sound transmission through structures, sound insulation requirements, and measurement methodology.
  6. Design and assessment of sound insulation: Single-leaf and multi-leaf structures, internal partitions, and building envelope assemblies.
  7. Materials, details, and construction defects: Design of vertical and horizontal structures, airborne and impact sound insulation, typical errors, defects, and critical points in buildings.
  8. Comprehensive building analysis: Integrated acoustic design (room, building, and urban scales) in architecture – noise control, urban planning, and structural measures.

Advanced topics: Free sound fields, health and safety limits (Government Regulation No. 272/2011 Coll.), assessment of noise from traffic and stationary sources, and noise control deficiencies.

Exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Jitka Mohelníková, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Introduction: Introduction to the subject matter, assignment of a specific space (classroom or use of data from one's own thesis), site surveying, and study of background materials.
  2. Practical measurements (in-situ): Measurement of the reverberation time in an actual classroom that fails to meet acoustic requirements.
  3. Design of acoustic treatments: Calculation-based design of modifications for the measured classroom (placement of sound-absorbing materials, detailing) and assessment of speech intelligibility.
  4. Laboratory measurements: Measurement of the sound absorption coefficient of porous materials under laboratory conditions.
  5. Simulation training (ODEON): Creation of a model of the selected classroom in ODEON software and verification of its acoustic properties.
  6. Simulation training (ODEON) – continued: Creation of a model of the selected classroom in ODEON software and verification of its acoustic properties.
  7. In-situ sound insulation measurements: Field measurement of airborne and impact sound insulation of a floor/ceiling assembly; evaluation according to standards.
  8. Project design and refinement: Optimal design of structures regarding sound insulation at the project documentation stage for new buildings; design of noise-control measures for structures.