Scalability of a metamaterial-based window

Acoustic Metamaterials (AMMs) in building elements are an innovative solution that can be exploited to balance sound insulation and natural ventilation. Previously, an Acoustic Metawindow unit (AMW unit) was designed, prototyped and assessed in the laboratories of the University of Bologna. This study compares previous results with those of a full-scale Acoustic Metawindow (AMW) using a numerical analysis mimicking the experimental setup according to ISO 10140 standards. It evaluates the scalability of an AMM-based window system for simultaneous noise control and natural ventilation. A FEM analysis was used to replicate the experimental conditions outlined by ISO 10140-2 for sound insulation and ISO 9972 for air permeability. The findings demonstrate that the full-scale AMW provides similar sound attenuation performance compared to the AMW unit, achieving an average sound insulation of 25 dB in the 50-5000 Hz frequency range. Moreover, the full-scale AMW allows a higher airflow rate for natural and mixed ventilation (using a pressure difference varying from 10 Pa to 80 Pa). Therefore, this AMM-based window seems to have great scalability potential, confirming its feasibility for real-world applications in buildings requiring high indoor comfort standards. Future research will carry out experimental verifications and extend this work by evaluating the energy performance of the AMW across different climatic conditions and usage patterns. The results contribute to advancing metamaterial applications in architectural acoustics and sustainable building design.