Evaluating the aircraft noise level and acoustic performance of the buildings in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport

Airports, especially international ones, within the urban context should have a specific consideration so they do not affect human lives. The planes fly a few hundred meters above these urban fabrics, and when they are landing, they fly slightly over 20–40 m above the ground. This paper aims to measure aircraft noise, conduct a survey on the subjective reaction of residents to aircraft noise, and present primary data necessary to secure the acoustic performance of residential buildings neighboring an international airport. The methodology used a field survey for six buildings neighboring Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, analyzed building/window material, and a subjective reaction survey. The result showed that the average equivalent noise level (L_eq) was 66.4 dB(A), and the average maximum noise level (L_max) was 73.3 dB(A). The indoor noise of the target buildings was found to be in the range of NC-35 to NC-53, exceeding NC-30, the permissible noise standard. The average noise level difference between indoors and outdoors was 13.6–30.5 dB(A). It was statistically proven that aircraft noise is a significant source of sound pollution and occurs all day throughout the year, regardless of the season. The response rate for loudness and noisiness was found to be very high. Regarding the disturbance in daily life due to annoyance, aircraft noise is significantly affected in the order of telephone calls, conversations, listening to TV and radio, sleep disturbance, concentration disturbance, and rest disturbance. This study will serve as primary data to present basic data necessary to secure an optimum acoustic performance of a residential building against aircraft noise.