Search results

Filters

  • Journals

Search results

Number of results: 4
items per page: 25 50 75
Sort by:
Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

Sound absorption coefficient is a commonly used parameter to characterize the acoustic properties of sound absorbing materials. It is defined within the frequency range of 100-5 000 Hz. In the industrial conditions, many appliances radiating acoustic energy of the frequency range of above 5000 Hz are used and at the same time it is known that a noise within the frequency range of 5 000-50 000 Hz can have a harmful effect on people,hence there is a need to define the coefficient in this frequency range. The article presents a proposal for a method of measurement of the sound absorption coefficient of materials in the frequency range from 5 000 Hz to 50 000 Hz. This method is a modification of the reverberation method with the use of interrupted noise.
Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Witold Mikulski
Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

The article presents results of our own research regarding acoustic properties of 110 classrooms in five typical primary schools in Warsaw. The target of the research was to assess the classrooms using established criteria. These criteria include the reverberation time and the speech transmission index. The research has shown a large diversity of acoustic properties of classrooms within each of the schools and between the schools, resulting from the classroom equipment and the school building construction. In addition, the assessment has indicated that classrooms in schools researched do not meet the established acoustic criteria (reverberation time and speech transmission index). Because the classroom equipment is different for younger forms (integrated teaching) and for older forms (subject teaching), the results have been analyzed separately for rooms for younger forms (0-III) and for rooms for older forms (IV-VI). Synthetic results prove the advisability of such division. Correlation analysis has been conducted for the speech transmission index STI and reverberation time Tmf, as well as for the speech transmission index STI and the suggested reverberation time Twf defined in a similar manner as Tmf, but in a wider frequency range. The correlation between the speech transmission index STI and Twf is higher than that between the STI index and Tmf. The reverberation time Twf can therefore be used for a more precise assessment of acoustic properties of interiors with regard to verbal communication than Tmf. In addition, the paper presents estimated analysis results of the influence of selected classroom equipment (carpets) on its acoustic properties.

Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Witold Mikulski
Jan Radosz
Download PDF Download RIS Download Bibtex

Abstract

The assessment of teachers' exposure to noise in primary schools was carried out on the basis of: questionnaire studies (covering 187 teachers in 3 schools), noise measurements at the teachers' workplaces, measurements of the school rooms acoustic properties (reverberation time and speech transmission index STI in 72 classrooms), analysis of statistical data regarding hazards and occupational diseases in the education sector. The studies have shown that noise is the main factor of annoyance in the school environment. Over 50% of questioned teachers consider noise as annoying and near 40% as very annoying or unbearable. A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure levels measured in classrooms, teacher rooms and common rooms are in the range of 58-80 dB and they exceed 55 dB (criteria of noise annoyance). The most frequently reported subjective feelings and complaints (over 90%) are: growth of psychical and emotional tension, irritation, difficulties in concentrating, hoarseness, cough. Noise in schools is also a harmful factor. High A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure levels ranging from 80 to 85 dB, measured in corridors during pauses and in sports halls, can cause the risk of hearing damage among PE teachers and persons oversensitive to noise. The latter concerns both teachers and pupils. High background noise levels (55-65 dB) force teachers to raise their voice. It can lead to the development of an occupational disease - chronic voice disorders due to excessive vocal effort lasting for at least 15 years. In the education sector 785 new cases of this disease were reported only in 2008. Poor acoustics in classrooms (reverberation time ranging from 0.8 to 1.7 s, STI < 0.6 in 50% of classrooms) have an adverse influence on speech reception and make the teaching and learning processes difficult.

Go to article

Authors and Affiliations

Danuta Augustyńska
Anna Kaczmarska
Witold Mikulski
Jan Radosz

Authors and Affiliations

Krzysztof Klimaszewski
Sebastian Borucki
Jacek Łuczak
Dariusz Zmarzły
Michał Kunicki
Andrzej Cichoń
Franciszek Witos
Czesław Leśnik
Dariusz Pleban
Milan Timko
Tomasz Rogala
Piotr Serafin
Tadeusz Gudra
Jerzy Filipiak
Dariusz Banasiak
Krzysztof Herman
Krzysztof Opieliński
Tomasz Hejczyk
Krzysztof Jasek
Mateusz Pasternak
Michał Grabka
Witold Kardyś
Andrzej Milewski
Adam Kawalec
Marta Okoń-Fąfara
Bartłomiej Fąfara
Aneta Olszewska
Piotr Pruchnicki
Marcin Wrzosek
Józef Nicpoń
Przemysław Podgórski
Tadeusz Pustelny
Marcin Szugajew
Olga Stec
Grzegorz Szerszeń
Daria Wotzka
Agnieszka Boruń
Adam Bald
Marzena Dzida
Sylwia Jężak
Monika Geppert-Rybczyńska
Katarzyna Kaczmarek
Tomasz Hornowski
Arkadiusz Józefczak
M. Kubovčíková
A. Skumiel
Z. Rozynek
M. Timko
Peter Kopcansky
Bogumił Linde
Vyacheslav N. Verveyko
Marina V. Verveyko
Darya V. Verveyko
Andrey Yu. Verisokin
Nikita S. Chebrov
Witold Mikulski
Danuta Augustyńska
Bożena Smagowska

This page uses 'cookies'. Learn more