Environmental noise impact and control – M. Garai coordinates a
research group leader in Europe for the development of new
measurement methods of intrinsic characteristics of acoustic
barriers. From these researches, published on international
journals, the European standards EN 1793-4, EN 1793-5, EN 1793-6, EN 16272-4, EN 16272-5 and EN 16272-6 stemmed
out. The group participated in the European projects ADRIENNE, QUIESST (2009-2012) and SOPRANOISE (2019-2021, funded by CEDR). M. Garai is convenor of CEN/TC 256/SC 1/WG 40
“Railways noise barriers” and CEN/TC226/WG6 "Road traffic noise reducing devices". From 2007 to 2012 the group has been working
for Regione Emilia-Romagna on the strategic noise maps and related
action plans according to European directive 2002/49/EC. In the second half of 2023 the new LIFE SILENT project has started, with the UNIBO team as WP leader.
Solutions and materials for the improvement of acoustic performance
of buildings – The research aims to find solutions for a good
acoustic design of buildings, complying with and exceeding the limiting values
stated by law. The group has laboratory facilities unique in Italy,
capable of performing insulation tests with and without flanking
transmission. Many experimental evaluations of constructive
systems and new materials have been done. A mathematical model of
the acoustic behaviour of polyester fibre materials has been
developed. At the same time, the extension of the CEN model for
building acoustics calculations with data and formulae well fitted
to the Italian situation is going on. M. Garai has been the principal investigator of a national competitive project (2019-2023) aiming at the development of innovative materials and metamaterials having high acoustic performances in the full frequency range 50-5000 Hz being also sustainable, i.e. with a low environmental impact and low embodied energy. Then, another national competitive project has started (2023-2025) on innovative windows providing simultaneously natural ventilation, good sound insulation and thermal performance.
Room acoustics – The research includes both the study by
computer simulation of theatres, auditoria, multi-purpose halls and
the development of new binaural measurements techniques of acoustic
quality criteria of rooms. New methods for the evaluation of the
effective duration of ACF and of the EDT from non-linear decays have bee developed. An
interdisciplinary research on the historical theatres of
Emilia-Romagna has been published on a high-level journal. An in-depth analysis of the acoustics of the famous Bayreuther Festspielhaus has been done. A cooperation is ongoing with the Mittweida Hochschule (DE) on German historical theatres.
Noise at workplace - The research includes both non-conventional measurement techniques and computer simulations of non-Sabinian environments. M. Garai has been the scientific responsible of the project INAIL BRIC ID 27/2016-2018 about the risk from exposure to noise and vibration in the most critical sectors. It is under development the application of advanced statistical tecniniques for studying the discomfort in open plan offices caused by the background noise from speech.
Energy efficiency of buildings and plants – M. Garai has been the scientific responsible of the project INVOLUCRO, funded by Regione Emilia-Romagna in the frame of POR-FESR 2014-2020. The project concerned the development of adaptive, sustainable and innovative systems for building envelopes having high thermal and acoustic performances. Now a monitoring system on real-size prototypes is active for research, development and technological transfer to enterprises.
Uncertainty in measurements and calculations – The evaluation of
the uncertainty is fundamental to quantify the reliability of
measurements and calculations. The research has produced novel
results, published at national and international level, like those
coming from the co-ordination of inter-laboratory tests on flow
resistivity measurements (first in Europe), acoustic simulation of
workplaces (first in Italy) and measurement of vibrations of work
equipments (first in Italy). M. Garai is chairman of the UNI
working group on uncertainty in acoustics.
