A study of thermal and acoustic environments being adjusted by physical factors as well as their effects on human perceptions
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This study investigated the performances of physical factors in acoustic and thermal environments as well as subjective responses towards them. It resolved social problems about environment quality (EnQ) and comfort under complex conditions. Two residential areas in the Yubei District of Chongqing (China) were studied in acoustic and thermal environments by field measurement combining subjective questionnaire. The A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure levels (LAeq, Decibels(A), dBA for unit) could be reduced by vegetation, or by up to as much as 10 dBA in the case of buildings. Buildings caused remarkable LAeq reductions, but they presented little cooling effect. They were caused by and sound absorption properties of building façade materials and damping of frequency. Residents’ sensations toward EnQ varied for contextual factors. Their neutral LAeq towards noises (NLAeq) of nature, business, traffic, conversation, and daily activities were 57.6, 55.7, 56.6, 53.5, and 55.9 dBA, respectively. The reported preferred LAeqs were 52.7, 49.7, 51.8, 50.5, and 46.7 dBA, respectively. The neutral temperatures (indicated by the physiologically equivalent temperature) were 22.7 (nature), 23.9 (business), 24.9 (traffic), 25.5 (conversation), and 24.5 (daily activities) °C, respectively. Lower heat tolerances were revealed under certain noises. This might result from humans’ perceptive variation towards sounds of different frequencies. This study has revealed the features of physical factors mitigating heat/ sound stress (locating on their transmission routes) and people’s thermal/ acoustic perceptions under different contexts. They would be practically directive for future urban design and planning works for environmental improvement.
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