Sound abatement at the Hamburg airport

Abstract

Airports, especially the older ones, are faced with the problem of sound intensity. At the time of their construction most of them were situated in sparesely inhabited zones. But the expansion of the urban radius of the large cities has extended the residential areas to the neighbourhood of the airports, and this has given rise to the problem of sound abatement since it is obviously necessary to reduce as far as possible the nuisance which excessive noise creates to the local population. To overcome one aspect of the problem, the construction of a soundproof hangar has been initiated at Hamburg, so that the noise which the engines make, during their warmingup period, can be controlled. The airliners will be inside this hanger during the period of tuning up, or warming up of the engines. The tests of this hangar, under working conditions, have proved satisfactory. The general structure is of prestressed concrete, with strong transversal portal frames. A number of accoustical plates have been supported from the roof, and they will act as sound absorbers. The exterior aspect of the building is original, showing a powerful design of strong lines.