Study of noise reduction effect of acoustic balconies in high-rise Buildings

For developing a public housing site close to a heavily trafficked road network in Hong Kong, innovative mitigation measures in the form of arc-screen design in front of windows for screening off road traffic noise was initially considered. To study the noise reduction effect, a full-scale 3-storey mock-up building was constructed for determining noise reduction effect of the arc-screen concept design with a simulated road traffic noise source. Upon further consideration of various factors at the later design stage, the arc-screen design concept was finally evolved in the form of a usable acoustic balcony with cantilevered glass panels projecting outwards. Using room acoustics and a diffraction model, noise reduction effect of the balcony up to 6dB was estimated. Post-construction measurement was conducted on site to verify the noise reduction effect of the acoustic balconies. 5dB noise reduction were identified. This paper presents the study approach, mock-up tests and in-situ measurement of the noise reduction effect of the acoustic balcony.