Noise Reduction and Air Behaviors in Ventilated Single-Glazed Façade with Glass Fiber-Based Shading Louvers and Compact Silencers

Outdoor traffic noise has been regarded as a reason degrading indoor acoustic quality due to noise transmission through ventilation openings of building facades. This study aims at exploring natural ventilation performance as well as noise reduction by the use of vertical shading louvers and compact silencers in a single skin facade mock-up. Tested shading louvers are made of 1-inch thick glass fiber boards that are designed to be oriented at 0 degree, 45 degree, and 90 degree angles. A compact silencer used for low-frequency duct noise control is applied to ventilation openings. Test cases were conducted based on various combinations of louver orientations, louver materials, and ventilation opening types. Findings from a mock-up test, it was found that combinations of a compact silencer and glass fiber louvers achieved noise reduction ranging from 8 dB(A) to 14 dB(A) compared to the reference case (100% ventilation opening with vertical wood louvers). A compact silencer and glass fiber louvers reduced noise transmission ranging between 3 dB(A) and 5dB(A) respectively depending on three orientations of louvers. The outcomes imply that the acoustical treatments in ventilated glass facades can improve the natural ventilation performance and the indoor acoustic quality in a dense urban environment.