Abstract
The panels and banners shown in (figure 2) were designed and built to improve the acoustics at the Friend's of the Dunes Nature Center. Team SAND consist of engineering 215 students from Humboldt State's 2012 spring semester. We have taken the challenge with a weighted criterion in mind. Safety and Economic feasibility are our greatest concerns.
Acoustic Dampening Project Plan
Our collaborative efforts are to stunt the echoing problem from the ceiling. With approximately 55 feet in length the FOTD learning center has an ample situation. (Web or book reference needed: Lennard Berneck, Noise Pollution and Vibration Control)
More text and figures will be inserted here as well.
Background
Problem Statement and Criteria
| Criteria | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | 10 | Must be designed to... |
| Aesthetics | 8 | Design must be aesthetically pleasing. |
| Cost | 3 | Entire design must cost less than $400. |
| Durability | 5 | Must last until Humboldt Coastal Nature Center's remodel |
| Inspiration | 7 | Design inspirational quality of using alternative building methods. |
| Ease of Maintenance and Installation | 7 | Design must be easy to install and free of a lot of maintenance |
| Functionality | 10 | Design must improve acoustics within Humboldt Coastal Nature Center. |
Description of final project
Acoustic panels and acoustic banners are used to improve the acoustics within the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center. The acoustic panels will be filled with a material that is recycled, and will diffuse sound well. Some recycled, sound absorbing material that are being considered are newspaper, sheared wool, packing peanuts, egg cartons, and dry beachgrass. The panels are constructed with 2x4s, burlap fabric, a recycled sound absorbing material, and chicken wire. The panels are mounted to the walls in the open part of the building. We positioned them here because it is where most of the visitors gather, so this is the area that has the greatest sound generation in the building. The Acoustic banners are hung between the already existing light fixture mounts in the Eastern half of the building and hung vertically between the light fixture mount and the light fixtures themselves in the Western half of the building. Both types of banners are made from a long strip of fabric. For the banners hung between the light fixture mounts there is a specific rigging system. The ends of the banners are secured in between two pieces of wood and bolted together and tightened with a wing nut. A cable is then attached to the banner and then attached to the light fixture mount.
Costs
Material Costs
| Materials | Use | Quantity | Project Cost ($) | Projected Project Cost ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlap | Panels/Banners | 54 yds. | $158.87 | $158.87 |
| Strike Anchors | Panels | 6 | $7.74 | $7.74 |
| Lumber (2x4) | Panels | 24 | $32.00 | $54.00 |
| Angle Brackets | Panels | 8 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| 2” Bolts | Panels | 6 | $1.50 | $1.50 |
| Newspaper | Panels | 30 ed. | $0.00 | $12 |
| ChickenWire | Panels | 2'x25' | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Lumber (plywood) | Banners | 1’x4’ (6) | $0.00 | $20.00 |
| Cable | Banners | 50 ft. | $8.69 | $8.69 |
| Cable Clamps | Banners | 1/8" (24) | $12.00 | $12.00 |
| Total | $247.11 | $308.8 |
Design Hours
The image on the right displays the total number of hours spent on each aspect of the design project.
Testing Results
How to build
Discussion and next steps
The acoustic banners and panels were built to last at least ten years or when Friends of the Dunes decide to go through with their remodeling plans. The panels were also specifically designed so that they can be taken off the walls at anytime or during the inspections every couple of months. This process is as easy as removing the top connecting bolt from the brackets which the panels are resting on. Possible future plans for the banners and panels consist of painting on wildlife or ocean designs by Friends of the Dunes.
References
Online Discount Drapery Fabrics and Upholstery Fabric Super Store! Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <http://warehousefabricsinc.com/>.