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Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight building material that gained popularity from the 1950s to the mid-1990s. It offers thermal and sound insulation, but is weaker than traditional concrete due to the presence of air voids. This weakness makes RAAC more susceptible to damage from water ingress, freeze-thaw cycles, corrosion, overloading, and structural defects. Poor design, construction practices, and neglecting maintenance can also contribute to RAAC failures. The UK government has recently taken steps to address concerns about the safety of RAAC roofs in schools, but some critics argue that more needs to be done to protect people from the risk of collapse. [Extracted from the article]

Specific remedial works designed to improve sound installation and reduce the noise level produced by helicopters inside dwellings are described. The theoretical problems and practical solutions to installing high-performance acoustic insulation to a traditional property in the United Kingdom are presented. A novel application of ISO 140-5 is presented using real helicopters to measure sound insulation in situ in the presence of multiple flanking transmission paths. Dedicated field trials to evaluate the performance of such acoustic double-glazing and associated modifications systems were performed and the precautions taken to minimise measurement uncertainties over the extended time period of the trials are detailed. The field trials involved the use of military training helicopters following selected flight paths around the property, while noise-level measurements were made internally and externally, before and after replacement of the existing single-glazed windows and attenuated ventilation units were installed. The results show that after replacing the main windows with acoustic insulated glazing units, sound insulation levels of 40 dB or above are achieved in most rooms. The results also illustrate the importance of effectively addressing ventilation when windows are replaced. It is concluded that despite complications due to sound flanking and regulatory ventilation, the use of acoustic double-glazing units and properly attenuated ventilation units can effectively reduce helicopter noise in suitable dwellings.Practical application: This article provides an evaluation of ways in which the sound insulation of dwellings can be practically improved to reduce the impact on everyday living of noise from helicopter operations. It addresses concerns about the practical use of high-performance acoustic insulated glazing units (IGUs) used in combination with acoustic through-the-wall ventilation. It also addresses the existence of multiple flanking sound paths. Sound insulation data from a field trial involving a conventional brick-built house obtained before modification is compared in a controlled manner with that obtained after fitting acoustic IGUs and after introducing ventilation to comply with current Building Regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper begins with the basic premise that noise is an inescapable feature of modern life and considers how inadequate sound insulation exacerbates the problems associated with noise pollution. The obvious mechanism for ensuring that buildings are constructed so as to provide sufficient sound insulation is the building control regime contained in the Building Regulations. The paper proceeds to analyse the building regulations and highlights the deficiencies which seriously inhibit their efficacy in terms of providing protection from excessive noise. The central issue therefore, is the extent to which the law of nuisance (both common law and statutory) is capable of providing an effective remedy in situations where the Building Regulations are in-applicable. It will be contended that following the House of Lords decision in Baxter v London Borough of Camden, the utility of common law nuisance has been radically undermined as a solution and this has a knock on effect in relation to statutory nuisance where the term ‘nuisance’ is given its common law definition. For a period of time it did seem that section 70(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, relating to the state of premises, provided a solution to external noise but statutory and case law developments have seriously undermined the effectiveness of section 70(1)(a) in this regard. It is therefore submitted that if the law of nuisance is to have any utility as a remedy for inadequate sound insulation it is essential that the courts adopt a definition of the phrase ‘prejudicial to health’ which is sufficiently wide to cover the adverse psychological effects of noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on several conferences related to the study of noise and vibration in Great Britain. A meeting which focuses on the issue concerning the reduction of human reaction to aircraft noise will be held on September 25, 2007. The "ISRA20007," which is organized by Instituto Universitario de Ciencias de la Construccion, will be held from September 9-12, 2007. Information on some courses related to noise control and full field techniques are presented.