Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 12(2), pp. 722 - 739
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2024.120206
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Improving Activity Requirements in Open Plan Office Spaces by Using Different Acoustic Design Elements: Engineering Studies and Consultation Center as a Case Study

Sanaa Abdelghany Eldyasty Ahmed Eid ^*, Asmaa Nasr Eldin Elbadrawy , Alaa Mohamed Shams Eldein Eleashy
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, Egypt

ABSTRACT

Choosing the appropriate acoustic design element for open office spaces depends on many influences such as the user's needs according to the type of activity practiced (public or private space). Also, the values of the acoustic parameters represent a factor and an indicator of the expression of open-plan office spaces acoustic performance. The research discussed the two design elements, the addition of absorbent ceiling materials and the addition of acoustic barriers, and their effects on activity type and therefore the distances required between workstations, according to the method of measurement used in the research. The research studied the internal space measurements of "Engineering Studies, Research, and Consultation Center" in the Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, Egypt, to find out the classifications of the sources surrounding the workstations and the sound pressure levels, then simulated three case studies, case (1) indicates the original space, case (2) for adding absorbent ceiling materials, and case (3) for adding sound barriers. The research concluded that the acoustic parameters are affected differently according to each design case. The research result was that the lowest value of the sound level was reached in the case of Absorbent ceilings. As for the distraction and privacy distances, the values were the lowest for the case of using acoustic barriers and then lower distances between workstations. Therefore, the choice here is according to the activity practiced within the office space and its requirements (activity for private work requires Speech Intelligibility and thus reduces the clarity of speech index - an activity for group work that requires clarity of speech between workers) and therefore this can be translated into a framework for the user's needs.

KEYWORDS
Acoustics, Multi-Activities, Office Spaces, Sound Level Meter, Spatial Delay, Distraction Distance, L_p,A,S,4m, Comfort Distance

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Sanaa Abdelghany Eldyasty Ahmed Eid , Asmaa Nasr Eldin Elbadrawy , Alaa Mohamed Shams Eldein Eleashy , "Improving Activity Requirements in Open Plan Office Spaces by Using Different Acoustic Design Elements: Engineering Studies and Consultation Center as a Case Study," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 722 - 739, 2024. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2024.120206.

(b). APA Format:
Sanaa Abdelghany Eldyasty Ahmed Eid , Asmaa Nasr Eldin Elbadrawy , Alaa Mohamed Shams Eldein Eleashy (2024). Improving Activity Requirements in Open Plan Office Spaces by Using Different Acoustic Design Elements: Engineering Studies and Consultation Center as a Case Study. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 12(2), 722 - 739. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2024.120206.