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A paper on the
Acoustic Analysis of Professor
Julius .A Okojie Central Research
Laboratory
Presented by
Omonlumhen Omonye – arc/09/7419
Onigbinde Fikayo – arc/09/7422
To
Professor O.O Ogunsote
Arc. Ganiyu
Of the
Department Of Architecture
Federal University of Technology Akure
c
Acoustic analysis of Prof. Julius Okojie central research laboratory
Table of Contents
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 1....................................................................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER 2....................................................................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 3..................................................................................................................................................................10
CHAPTER 4..................................................................................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................................................13
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Acoustic analysis of Prof. Julius Okojie central research laboratory
ABSTRACT
Acoustic analysis of prof. Julius okojie central research laboratory is a research building in FUTA close to
the SET and SEMS building, the acoustic of the building is fair, the building is facing a major road to the
staff quarters, from the research carried out the average noise level of the building is 115dB, and a noise
level of 130dB was recorded at a time due to noise from the road from moving vehicles, using the installed
sound level meter on the phone. Major sources of noise are the floor tiles, generator close to the building,
the main road, and the adjoining building, ways of solving these problems are also discussed in the report.
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CHAPTER 1
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURAL ACOUSTICS
The term acoustics is often taken to be an abstract phenomenon but in essence it is simply the science of
sound. The acoustical environment of a work space is given little or no attention during project planning
and design. The functionality and aesthetics of the work space are usually the primary focus of the
designer. Providing a comfortable environment for employees contributes significantly to their optimum
performance and absenteeism.
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CHAPTER 2
ACOUSTIC ANALYSIS OF STUDY BUILDING
The central research laboratory is a research facility that carries out research on organic products it contains
four laboratories, the director’s office, a conference room and conveniences. The laboratories present there
are
1. Diagnostic laboratory
2. Bioresearch laboratory
3. Nutritional laboratory
4. Analytical laboratory.
The building is located at the obanla campus of the federal university of technology, akure. It is surrounded
by the following buildings
1. The school of management technology
2. The graduate research centre
3. The school of postgraduate studies
The central research laboratory is a two storey building as shown in the photographs below.
Site plan
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Acoustic analysis of Prof. Julius Okojie central research laboratory
Approach view
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Acoustic analysis of Prof. Julius Okojie central research laboratory
Right side elevation
Left side view in perspective
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Rear view in perspective
Two groups of noise sources have been identified as follows:
1. Internal noise sources
2. External noise sources
Internal noise sources:
The following have been identified as the sources of internal noise.
1. Movement of people within the building
2. the machines located in offices and laboratories
3. Noise generated from conversations from people within the building
External noise sources:
The following were identified as external noise sources:
1. Sound from vehicles
2. Sound from adjoining buildings
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3. Noise from people around the building
4. Noise from the standby generator
5. Noise generated from climatic conditions such as rainfall and thunder storms
6. Noise originated at access roads
7. Noise originated from student activities such as riots, campaigns etc.
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CHAPTER 3
THE ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES OF THE BUILDING
Wall finishes: all walls are finished with emulsion paint which has little or no impact on the
acoustics of the building.
Floor finishes: all floor surfaces in the building are finished with 450mm by 450mm ceramic tiles as
shown in the photograph below. It produces poor acoustics properties.
Ceiling finish: the ceiling is finished with PVC sheets all through the building
Fenestrations: the doors present are PVC doors. The windows present are glass sliding windows
with aluminium frame. There are also perforated (screen walls).
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Presence and series of sharp edges and corners: The presence of sharp corners and edges of the walls cause
an abrupt change of direction and tends to increase the intensity of the sound at these edges through the
corridors. Therefore the facility has a high propensity for reverberation considering the fact that the
corridors are usually empty.
Interior view of the first floor
Interior view from ground floor
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CHAPTER 4
METHODS OF IMPROVING GENERAL ACOUSTICS OF STUDY BUILDING
The following are ways in which the acoustics of the building can be improved
Frame stiffness of doors and windows
The doors and window panels must be made stiff to reduce sound transmission through the hinges. This
does not allow sound transmission from the corridors into the offices. Also noise attached to the opening
and closing of doors and windows are reduced. This can also be achieved by oiling the hinges as at when
due to reduce noise.
Provision of buffer zones
The introduction of trees in the courtyard and around the building obstructs and absorbs unwanted sound
that could be transmitted around and into the building respectively. This is important as the height of the
hedges is inadequate to direct noise away from the building.
Sound insulation of furniture and appliances
Instead of the very polished and exposed surfaces of the furniture in the building, it could be covered or
clad with foams or cushion which reduces sound reflection at these surfaces. Also the noise emanating
from appliances like the ceiling fans and the air conditioners could be minimized by the method of
reducing the amount of energy and displacement transmitted to the surface below the equipment. This is
achieved by installing an elastic element between the equipment and the bearing surface. Each elastic
element has a natural vibration frequency. The target in design is to select such an elastic element that its
natural vibration frequency is several times lower than the disturbing frequency.
Source isolation
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Isolation in the form of wooden box lined with sound absorbent materials could be used to isolate the UPS
or the computer. Also the screening of the computer set, photocopiers scanners etc would reduce the level
of noise in the interior spaces of the offices
Reduction of building noise
The reduction can be achieved through sound absorbing materials which can be attached to the walls and
panels in the building in such a way that when sound energy hits the material most are absorbed while
some few are reflected leaving very little to get transmitted. These absorbent materials could be;
1. Fibrous material: absorbs sound by friction drag on air moving through pores.
2.
Volume resonators: though designed to absorb narrow band of frequencies, it consists of air cavity
within large enclosures
3. Panel resonators: thin plywood or other materials in front of a sealed airspace containing absorbent
materials. Not only do these materials have good acoustic properties, they also produce good
aesthetic qualities.
CONCLUSION
The acoustic condition of the prof. Julius okojie central research laboratory building cannot be
regarded as out rightly being poor because the fact remains that no building has perfect habitating
qualities in that the more the acoustic standards are achieved in detriment to other functional
characteristics of the building the more criticism it receives in respect to this defects. However, the
proffered solutions given in this report is a form of adjustment to the built structure and not those to
be considered at the inception of the construction as this would be non relevant to this report.
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