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Improving the Acoustical Properties of an Elliptical Plan Space with a Cable Net Membrane Roof

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Abstract

Textile roofs are particularly suited for covering large open spaces. They are used to make buildings that are able to dynamically change their functions. Their strengths are their great lightness and thinness. These characteristics are optimal for their load bearing function, as a roof covering, but they are not so good for the acoustic performance of the structure. This aspect is important because it makes it difficult to transform a sports arena, for example, into a music hall or auditorium. The possibility having these transformations is economically important for this kind of building. This paper is focused on the acoustic performance of a building covered with a flexible roof made of a cable net and membrane. In this specific case, the roof has a hyperbolic paraboloid geometry, and the building footprint is elliptical. The interaction between shape and acoustic performance is investigated. An acoustic improvement is proposed for the double functional aim of satisfying both speech and music. This improvement is obtained using acoustic absorbing and diffusing panels.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks go to Engineer Alessandra D’Onofrio for her collaboration during her graduate thesis and to Architect Federica Speziale for her collaboration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering and Geology, University of G. D’Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Viale Pindaro 42, 65100, Pescara, Italy

    Fabio Rizzo & Paolo Zazzini

Authors
  1. Fabio Rizzo
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  2. Paolo Zazzini
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fabio Rizzo.

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Conflict of interest

The author A (Fabio Rizzo) has received research grants from the University G. D’Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara (Italy). The author B (Paolo Zazzini) is an associate professor at the University G. D’Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara (Italy). The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Rizzo, F., Zazzini, P. Improving the Acoustical Properties of an Elliptical Plan Space with a Cable Net Membrane Roof. Acoust Aust 44, 449–456 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40857-016-0072-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40857-016-0072-5

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