Investigation of Correlation between Aircraft Interior Noise Levels and Residential Building Construction Details

Our paper investigates the correlation between aircraft interior noise levels and various residential building construction features. Variables considered include age, size, number of stories, construction type (cape, ranch, etc.), housing type (single-family or multi-family), exterior façade material, and window glazing characteristics. The results of this analysis are then considered in the context of current guidance provided in Appendix R of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 5100.38D Airport Improvement Program handbook, which specifics a procedure to determine the eligibility of residences for airport sound insulation programs based on interior noise levels for categories of homes. The assumed intent of this process is to minimize the need to determine aircraft interior noise levels through measurements of building noise level reduction within 100% of homes, but rather test 10% to 30% of the units within each group to determine interior noise levels by category. Ultimately, we were unable to identify any specific building construction details which might result in truly effective categorizations of residences for the purpose of determining sound insulation program eligibility.