Facade Noise Control with Glass and Laminates

Ray V. Foss, Terrence A. Dear, Mohamed Ali Hamdi, Samir Assaf

‘Design by analysis’ is premised to bridge the
gap between current reliance on laboratory
measurements versus actual field performance,
and is illustrated by applying current technology
for sound insulation to glazing elements. A
paradigm shift is proposed toward reliance on
calculated glazing transmission loss and use of
this full noise reduction spectra to describe
performance, at octave band – and preferably
more intermediate – frequencies.
Performance modeling is demonstrated. The
entire transmission loss spectra for glass products
can be simulated by calculation and preserved to
combine with either exterior or interior spectra,
thereby controlling upper limit interior noise quality
from glazing as facade elements. Certain issues
such as low frequency response and angle
of incidence can be calculated better than
measured. Glass has peculiar noise control
problems.
Glasses deserve unique standards or guides.
Different glass types may have same indicated
laboratory parameters, but does that relate to real
world? Laminated glass appears to be the
necessary and appropriate basic multiattribute
choice for facade noise control.

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