Acoustic comfort models for speech intelligibility in classrooms in the state school chain of Rio Grande do Norte
School architecture; Acoustic quality; Speech intelligibility; Classroom acoustics
Classrooms are the main space for the exchange of knowledge and its construction. Since speech is the most used instrument for these purposes, its proper understanding is essential. Speech intelligibility in classrooms depends on environmental acoustic conditioning factors. Aiming to contribute to an improvement of these factors, this work proposes a set of solution models based on the architectural definitions of the Reference Standards Manual for School Operation – a document prepared by the State Government of RN. Analyzing parameters of reverberation time (TR), initial decay time (EDT), speech transmission index (STI) and definition (D50), for classrooms of 3 schools in the state network, different models of solutions will be built for every setting. With reference values backed by recent research, these simulations will be carried out to give a range of possible absorption coefficient values for the material to be applied in each solution. Some of the simulations already carried out have their results presented. Examples of the application of this compilation of possible acceptable coefficients will be demonstrated, and an analysis of the application process and its results is made. Based on this, a final material will be proposed to be incorporated into the State Government Standards Manual, which includes the simulated values as well as the methodology to broaden the results library in the future.