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This paper presents the results of field measurements in eight rehabilitated cloisters of old monasteries in Portugal (length: 20 to 35 m and height: 3.3 to 6.3 m) regarding their acoustic behavior to two objective parameters: RT and RASTI. The goal is to characterize the acoustic effect of the rehabilitation done on theses spaces to adapt them to new uses. All these cloisters had recently their galleries' openings to the central yard closed with glass panels. Simple formulas were obtained that relate among the objective acoustic parameters and between the acoustic and architectural parameters. This paper also presents the variation on the RASTI and RT average values resulting of the rehabilitation work done on these buildings.

The goal of this research was to characterize the interior acoustics of high schools sports facilities using objective parameters. In situ measurements were done in 68 school gymnasiums in Portugal (volume from 450 to 2680 m3) regarding LAeqBN (background noise without gym classes), LAeqPE (ongoing Physical Education classes), RT, and RASTI. The results for LAeqBN were from 34 dB (L90) to 50 dB (L10) with a median of 42 dB. For the LAeqPE were found values from 75 dB (L90) to 85 dB (L10) with a median of 80 dB. For the RT(500/1k/2k) room values from 2.6 s (RT90%) to 6.9 s (RT10%) with a median of 4.8 s, were measured. The room average RASTI values were from 0.27 (RASTI90%) to 0.43 (RASTI10%) with a median of 0.34. These sports rooms proved to be highly reverberant, almost without sound absorbing materials, which might be harmful, especially for the gym teachers. The subjective perception of the PE teachers was analyzed through questionnaires where it was verified that they feel most discomfort when it comes for noise (and thermal) conditions. This was supported by the objective results obtained. Ideal values for those acoustic parameters are presented.

Rendering at the European Directive 2002/49/EC, all EU members have to draw up a strategic noise map for all agglomerations with more than 250,000 inhabitants and for all major airports, roads and railways. A study of environmental impact assessment on motorway A23 in the stretch between Castelo Branco–Alcains (Portugal), based in the impact of the environmental noise, allowed the modeling the noise variation, which can be useful for establishing mitigation measures. The results show that noise model can be a useful tool for the monitoring noise impact in surrounding of motorways.

The main goal of this work is to study the soundscape of city gardens and urban parks using a sample of ten sites in Oporto, Portugal to analyze their soundscape through the acoustic characterization of the park's exterior and interior noise levels (LAeq, LA10, LA50 and LA90) and by a socio-acoustic survey to the visitors to check their perception of acoustic quality. The measurements showed gardens/parks with interior noise levels from 47 to 61 dB(A) (with exterior noise levels up to 67 dB(A)). The difference between exterior and interior LAeq was between 3 and 19 dB. The gardens with lower noise levels are the largest and out of downtown. An "acoustic" classification for gardens/urban parks is proposed regarding their noise "isolation" capacity and their acoustic ambiance. Old 1990 measurements allow for the comparison of the acoustic evolution in the last 21 years. The socio-acoustic survey concludes that Oporto's city parks are visited mostly by an elderly male population that regards these places as sites of gathering and to practice some physical activity rather than as an acoustic retreat. They seem accustomed to the dominant sound sources, classifying those spaces as pleasant and quiet, even when noise is over acceptable limits.