Low-cost acoustic hollow elements for facades in tropical countries

The humid tropical climate, common in several regions of Brazil, requires specific design guidelines to ensure thermal and acoustic comfort in buildings. While natural ventilation is recommended, it is equally crucial to mitigate external noise, particularly in large urban centers. An effective solution to this problem is the use of hollow construction elements with acoustic properties on facades. This work is divided into the following stages: 1) theoretical foundation on the importance of hollow elements with acoustic attenuation for facades; 2) literature review and geometric analysis of hollow facade elements with potential applications in low-cost construction, exploring the relationship between geometry and acoustic performance; and 3) proposal of an optimized hollow element geometry to be developed in a later stage of the research, based on the findings from previous investigations. By advancing these solutions, the study aims to enhance compliance with performance and thermoacoustic comfort standards. Its findings could have a significant impact, particularly in developing countries like Brazil, by improving building energy efficiency, promoting user health and comfort, and offering cost-effective alternatives to existing industrial solutions.