Robust acoustics improvements for dwellings next to airports

The acoustical quality of dwellings in Spain is guaranteed up today with the compliance of the Building Regulation NBE-CA88, which establish laboratory requirements to each construction element. However, the new Spanish Building Regulation (CTE), searching a higher level of comfort in dwellings is increasing its requirements and is considering the building as a product itself. The environmental noise is transmitted inside the housings through different elements, although the main path is the façade, there are other ways like ventilation ducts, grilles, etc. This paper shows a research about different constructive alternatives for improving the acoustical quality in a particular dwelling next to an airport in Spain, including the façade improvements and the analysis of noise transmission through natural ventilation ducts (shunts). The aim is not only to fulfil the Standars, but also to protect the residents under a comfort point of view.