Acoustic Coupling Effects between Corridors and Patient Rooms for Healthcare Building Design

Acoustic comfort in hospital units is important for healthcare building design, but little is known about sound interaction between corridors and patient rooms. This study examines the coupling effects between inter-connected corridors and patient rooms in hospital units with the L-shaped layout. Based on acoustic simulations with the ray-tracing technology, the relative sound pressure level (SPL) attenuation, SPL distribution, reverberation time to early decay time ratio (RT30/EDT) are investigated at selected positions in the layout. Results reveal sound propagation in the inter-connected corridors and coupling characteristics between corridors and patient rooms. The energy exchange patterns and mechanisms of different decay curves are accordingly discussed. Key words: Coupling rooms; double decay curves; healthcare design; L-shaped layout