BUILDING FACADE AS A POTENTIAL AEROACOUSTIC NOISE SOURCE

Abstract

Contemporary architecture and modern building technology allow for erection of tall buildings with advanced energy efficient building skins. Double skin transparent facades (DSTF) belong to those walls claddings systems, that are developed from various points of view and attract attention of researcher from different scientific fields. In our research we deal with possible impacts of cavities, such as ventilation inlets, or other wanted or unwanted openings in the transparent wall claddings on the occurrence of aeroacoustic noise, caused by high windspeeds on building facades. Sounds produced by airflow depend not only on its speed, but also on shapes and sizes of cavities or obstacles. Sound amplitudes and frequency spectra, ranging from tonal sounds, sounds with pulsating components or broadband noises can occur depending on situation and contribute to overall acoustic discomfort indoors and outdoors. This paper summarizes and explains the basis of most common sounds that might be caused by airflow on upper floors of tall buildings during windy days. Based on the two preliminary studies performed in high-rise buildings with DTF in Bratislava, a detailed analysis of measured sounds caused by wind is shown, the difficulty to detect the problem is described and several questions on wind-induced noise on buildings are opened.