Mitigating Noise Levels Within the Main Campus of University of Arizona by Integrating Biodegradable Polylactic Acid as an Acoustic Panel to Buildings

摘要

People's experience of space is quite different because we experience our environment with all senses available to us. Environmental pollutions can affect everybody's experiences of space. Noise is one of the environmental pollutions that long-term exposure to high noise levels can cause sleep disruption, reduction of performance, permanent hearing loss, and the inability to enjoy the space. udThis research presents an assessment of noise levels on the main campus of the University of Arizona, based on noise measurements and noise maps, and defines problems associated with the high noise levels in specific areas. Then, strategically develops an acoustic panel, by using an environmentally friendly material which is called Polylactic Acid. PLA is a kind of biopolymers and it is biodegradable material made from renewable raw materials like corn starch. In addition, the University of Arizona's campus is surrounded by four streets with intense vehicle traffic, which contribute to causing the noise level to exceed the legal limits established for some of the educational areas. udThere are many methods for mitigating noise in urban areas, including the formation of the city, the geometry of buildings, vegetation, and sidewalk design, building façade design and using acoustic materials. All these responses for noise mitigation should be considered as environmentally friendly design concepts. The manufacturing of many materials can cause severe environmental pollutions, but by using Polylactic acid material we will save our planet.