Abstract | A recent review of aircraft noise issues in Canada was conducted by the National Research Council for Transport Canada [1,2,3]. This review was quite broad in scope but identified the need for improved design procedures for the sound insulation of buildings against aircraft noise. Aircraft noise levels have been considerably reduced at the source over the past 30 years. The result of this effort is the introduction of quieter Chapter 3 commercial jet aircraft. In a few years the change over to these quieter aircraft will be complete and further large reductions at the source are not likely to occur. After noise reduction at the source, the most frequently recommended solution for reducing the negative impact of aircraft noise in buildings near airports, is increased sound insulation. In Canada a widely accepted design procedure has been in use since the mid 1970s [11]. Unfortunately it is now largely obsolete. It is based on the spectra of older aircraft types and does not include sound insulation data for commonly used modern Canadian exterior façade construction types. It is quite cumbersome to use and has never been systematically validated by measurements in a range of buildings near airports This report is the first part of a project to produce a modern design procedure for insulating buildings against aircraft noise. It is intended to be a comprehensive review of current knowledge on the sound insulation of buildings. It discusses what is known concerning the basic principles, measurement procedures and measurement results from previously published studies related to building sound insulation. It is intended that this will provide a basis for planning the next part of this project: to develop a new, up to date, more accurate and easier to use design procedure. |
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