Evaluation of the BCIT hybrid test method in the acoustic performance of windows

Description

This thesis presents validation of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Hybrid Test Method, a novel approach for measuring the sound transmission loss of building envelope elements, with an emphasis on double-glazing windows. The BCIT Hybrid Test Method was developed to be a more accessible and cost-effective alternative to the ASTM E90 test. The ASTM E90 test method is typically used in advanced research stages and requires two reverberant chambers. The limitations of the ASTM E90 test method, such as limited access to test sites for the industry, underscore the need for innovative and cost-effective alternatives for acoustic testing. The BCIT Hybrid Test Method, which combines elements of the ASTM E966 standard (2011) and the ISO 15186-1 standard (2016) standards, addresses this need by offering a more locally available, less expensive, and flexible method for scanning multiple variables in the design and investigation stage of research and development. The efficacy of the BCIT Hybrid Test Method was assessed using window samples from Centra Window Manufacturer Ltd. The research examined the BCIT Hybrid Test Method's ability to accurately detect variations in different test windows, including changes in the frame or the glazing system. Consideration was given to factors such as glass thickness, interpane spacing, and the use of laminated or symmetrical glass in insulated glass units (IGUs). Equations from Quirt’s (1982) study on double-glazing windows were employed to investigate mass-air-mass resonance frequency and critical frequency and to evaluate the accuracy of the BCIT Hybrid Test Method. The results demonstrated the validity of the BCIT Hybrid Test Method in measuring the sound transmission loss of windows, emphasizing its potential for use in early-stage window research.