Chan-Jae Park

Comparison of the Korean and Chinese Speech Intelligibility with Increasing Sound Absorption in a Classroom

The present study aims to investigates the effects of the physical sound clarity (D50, STI) on the subjective speech intelligibility of the both Korean and Chinese languages which can be caused by increase of the sound absorption in classroom. In order to this, sound measurements were undertaken at a classroom with and without absorption materials. Also, speech intelligibility tests were conducted by Korean and Chinese students using their native languages. As the results, it was found that both sound clarity and speech intelligibility were improved with increasing sound absorption. Also, it was revealed that Chinese speech intelligibility was more improved than Korean with same impose of sound absorption. It was considered by the difference of phonetic characteristics of two languages. Analysing correlation of physical sound clarity and subjective speech intelligibility, it was shown that D50 is highly correlated with Korean (0.696) and Chinese (0.707) respectively. Also, STI was highly correlated with Korean (0.651) and Chinese (0.665). Thus, it can be concluded that D50 and STI have significant correlations with the speech intelligibility.

Effect of the Inter-aural Level Differences on the Speech Intelligibility Depending on the Room Absorption in Classrooms

The present study investigates the effect of the inter-aural level difference(ILD) on the syllable articulation test in classrooms which can be occurred by the absorption of interior surfaces. In order to do this, the sound absorbing materials were installed in the classroom and sound pressure level(SPL) at each ear was measured using binaural recording systems. Also, syllable articulation tests were carried out at a classroom with and without sound absorption materials by 20 students who have normal hearing condition, in order to investigates the effect of the ILD on the speech intelligibility. As a result, it was found that the larger inter-aural level differences was occurred at the nearer positions to lateral walls after sound absorptions were applied to lateral walls in the classroom. At some places, the measured ILD was lager than JND of sound level (3dB). Also, it was shown that the correlation coefficient of inter-aural level difference with the score of syllable test has the significant result(-0.441). Thus, It is concluded that ILD can affect the subjective speech intelligibility in classrooms.

An experimental analysis of the sound reduction characteristics of air transparent noise barriers

The present study describes the acoustical characteristics of the new noise barriers which can control not only noise but also wind pressure by allowing air flow through barriers. In order to investigate the sound reduction index of the air transparent noise barrier, 17 models in total were examined with various size of openings and the volume of the resonators. As a result, it was found that the sound reduction index varies with the volume of the resonator and the area of the openings. Also, it was revealed that double layer of units has more sound reduction index than the single layer of unit at the frequency band from 400 Hz to 1250 Hz. This denoted that physical features of openings and resonators affect the sound reduction index of the air transparent noise barrier.

Comparison of Acoustic Performance Depending on the Location of Sound Absorptive and Diffuser in Small Auditoriums Using 1/10 Scale Models

This study investigated how the location of sound absorptive materials and sound diffusers affects the acoustic performance of small auditoriums. It was conducted for a standard model established with the averaged dimension of 36 auditoriums which had opened since 2000 in Daehak-ro, Seoul. In this study, the installation area of finishing materials was calculated upon a back wall which had the smallest installation effective area of finishing materials. To analyze the changes of acoustic performance according to installation location of finishing materials, experiments were carried out using the 1/10 down scale models for 8 cases which were made by classifying the installation location of ceiling and side wall into the front, middle and rear part.The used acoustic parameters were reverberation time (RT), early decay time (EDT), clarity (C80), definition (D50) and speech transmission index (STI). In result, the index related to the amount of reverberant sound (RT, EDT) showed the great changes when evaluating it through just noticeable difference (JND), but the one related to clarity (C80, D50, STI) hardly indicated the changes. In case to obtain short reverberation time, it was most effective to control reverberation time through the side walls when installing sound absorptive and diffusive materials, and side wall front was the location which could get the shortest reverberation time.

Analysis of the Acoustic Performance of Classrooms in Korea

The basic unit of school is a classroom and the aural environment of the classrooms is essential factor for education purposes. Therefore, many efforts have been undertaken for enhancing the acoustical performance of the classrooms in many countries. As a result, acoustic criteria including reverberation time and background noise level have been established in US and UK for school classrooms depending on the usage and size of the rooms. However, in Korea, there has been little researches concerning the room acoustical investigations of the classrooms. The present study investigates the current situation of the aural environment of the 15 classrooms in Korea including elementary, middle and high schools. The acoustic criteria measured include RT, , STI, SNR and background noise level. As the results, it was found that the background noise levels of the schools adjacent to roads exceed the US and UK standard of 35 dB(A). Also, most schools have so low SNR that they may be interfered by noise, which may affect speech transmission. It was also revealed that some schools have longer RT than the US standard of 0.6 s, but they all have high speech intelligibility.

Noise Analysis and Reduction Methods of the All-in One Window Ventilation System

The window ventilation system based on the heat recovery device was developed which make air ventilation possible without opening the windows. However, mechanical and aerodynamic noises were come to pass which annoyed people in rooms. In the present study, noise of new window ventilation system was measured in both general room and anechoic chamber. Also, the noise path was detected to find cause of noise generation and vulnerable area of the device. Sound absorptive and insulation materials were applied to mitigate the noise. Finally, an alternative noise control method was suggested which can satisfy with the indoor noise standards. As a result, it was shown that the cause of noise was the low transmission loss in the ventilation system. As a result, it was shown that the main noise source of the ventilation system was the blower and the major cause of noise was the low transmission loss of the ventilation system. It is also concluded that the noise levels complies with the noise standards of 40 dBA when 2 mm rubber sheet is applied inside the ventilation system.

Effects of the Complexity of 3D Modeling on the Acoustic Simulations and Auralized Sounds

The present study examined the effects of the complexity of the 3D models on the results of acoustic simulation which is the predominant tool of the acoustical design of buildings. Also, the effects of the 3D model on the auralized sounds were investigated. In order to carry out the study, four 3D models with different levels of complexity were introduced for a real auditorium which have different numbers of surfaces in the persuit of the guidance of odeon room acoustic software. The set-up of models was also based on the level of transition order of the program. And the acoustic experiments were performed measuring room acoustic parameters including SPL, RT, C80, D50. Acoustic computer simulations were performed using four different models. Then, the results of the computer modeling were compared with the measured acoustical parameters. In addition, sound sources were recorded in the field and auralized sounds were made in convolution with the impulse source made from acoustic modeling. Then, subjective tests were undertaken using auralized sounds. As the results, it was found that the result of the acoustic simulation were closer to the real room acoustic properties when 3D model was more particularly made. For the subjective test, the listening materials were acknowledged as similar with the real sound source when more complex 3D model was used. Then, it could be concluded that the complexity of the 3D model affects the results of the acoustic modeling as well as subjective tests.

Investigation of the Soundscapes of Jeju Olle Route via Soundwalking

The present study aims to investigate the soundscapes of Jeju olle route through the soundwalking. In order to do this, sound measurements and sound recording were undertaken at 10 points along Jeju olle route. Also, loudness of background sound and figure sound were examined. Subjective surveys were carried out using questionnaire and interviews with 32 tourists and 5 acoustical specialists in order to investigate the loudest sound, most pleasant and unpleasant sound, and impressive sound among 17 natural and artificial sounds. Additionally, laboratory experiments were achieved to evaluates sound that have been recorded at the field using same questionnaire and the results were compared with those of field experiments. As a result, the sound heard most in Jeju olle route is the sea wave sound, wind sound, automobile noise, and human voice. It was revealed that the most pleasant sound consisted of nature sound among them, and that unpleasant sounds are artificial sounds. The results of subjective test denote that unpleasant sound is affected by ratio of artificial sound and nature sound. And this also affects the assessment about the loudness of the sound. Also, it was found that the results of both field test and laboratory test are closely correlated in the evaluation of loudness of sound and unpleasant feeling.