Browsing by Author "Yilmazer, Semiha"

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Open Access
The effect of sound environment on spatial knowledge acquisition in a virtual outpatient polyclinic
(Elsevier, 2021-12-28) Dalirnaghadeh, Donya; Yilmazer, Semiha
This study examines the impact of the sound environment on spatial knowledge acquisition in a virtual outpa- tient polyclinic. Outpatient polyclinics have a salient role in determining early outpatient treatments of COVID- 19 to prevent hospitalization or death and reduce the burden on hospitals. However, they have not been widely investigated in the literature. The studies on spatial knowledge have identified environmental elements mainly related to vision with no focus on sound. Currently, there is limited research on the effect of sound environment on spatial knowledge acquisition in virtual outpatient polyclinics. In this study, a virtual simulated outpatient polyclinic has been created with varying levels of visual and audio cues. Eighty participants were assigned to one of the four groups: a control (no visual signage), a visual (visual signage), an only audio (no landmarks and no visual signage), and an audio-visual group. The virtual environment was presented as a video walkthrough with passive exploration to test spatial knowledge acquisition with tasks based on the landmark-route-survey model. The results showed that a combination of visual signage and sound environment resulted in higher spatial knowledge acquisition. No significant difference was found between the performance of the visual group and the control group that shows that signage alone cannot aid spatial knowledge in virtual outpatient polyclinics. Data from the only audio group suggests that landmarks associated with sound can compensate for the lack of visual landmarks that may help design a wayfinding system for users with visual disabilities.
Open Access
An experimental study on speech interference in public leisure spaces
(Institute of Noise Control Engineering, 2010) Yilmazer, Semiha; Gezginer, Pelin Meriç
Physical comfort requirements of users in the non-acoustical spaces, leisure space, and usability of the space in long-term period should be taken into consideration in terms of sustainability of the space. The aim of this study is to investigate the speech interference of users' in an openplaned public leisure space. Bilkent Rollhouse was chosen as a leisure space because of its variance of activities in an open-plan like bowling, dart, billiards, play station and dining area. In this respect, a questionnaire was prepared to check the perception of sound of different user types in the area. The questionnaires were applied at the most crowded day of the week that is Friday and in between 18:00 to 21:00. The results of the survey were evaluated statistically. In addition to this, the equivalent continuous noise level, Leq, of the leisure space were taken in parallel to the questionnaire application to the users. Measuring of speech intelligibility via articulation index (AI) subjectively was the second phase of this study. Via application of the word list to the normal hearing users, the AI contours were prepared. Finally, objective and subjective measurements were analyzed in terms of speech interference during leisure activity in the space. As a leisure space, the relation between noise annoyance ratings and Leq did not show any significant difference in dart, billiards and play stations activities. However, in bowling activity and dining area, it was found that there is a significant relation between noise annoyance and Leq. This study reveals that users submit ambient noise of the space during leisure activity, they get in a common behaviour psychologically, they adjust their vocal noise that they create and finally these issues lead controlling of ambient noise by them. It means that users give up loudly speaking, they accept repeating or silence, focus on meal and they do not like getting in uncomfortable situation since their main activity is dining. For further study, the number of the samples in not only different leisure spaces, but also measurement points and sampling times should be increased to make clear hypothesis given above, since the study reveals completely different behaviour that is introduced in literature like cocktail party effect phenomenon.
Open Access
Identification of individuals' emotional response to the indoor soundscape in public study areas via semantic differentiation
(Institute of Noise Control Engineering, 2017) Acun, Volkan; Yilmazer, Semiha
Aims of this research is to identify individuals' emotional response to the sound environment of public study areas. The research has taken place in the public study areas of Bilkent University Campus. These study areas are located at the Dormitories, the Fine Arts Buildings, the library, and the Faculty of Science. In order to explore individuals' response to the auditory environment, a questionnaire survey and in-situ measurement of sound levels (LAeq) have been conducted. Questionnaire survey consisted of two main parts. In first part students have identified the sound source, how often they hear each one, and their satisfaction with the sound environment. Second part consisted of twelve seven point semantic differential scales (SD). Semantic scales were chosen in order to identify individuals' emotional response to the soundscape. Questionnaire survey are held with 30 student from each public study area, 120 students in total. The data gathered from the questionnaire survey are analysed using IBM SPSS 21 Statistics Software. Factor analysis was used to identify the perceptual dimensions of soundscape. Three factors were identify as a result of the analysis, which are, well-being, activity/communication and functionality. Even though the ANOVA F-Test found no statistically significant difference between the study areas in terms of satisfaction with the soundscapes, each areas has sound environment characteristics.
Open Access
Perceived auditory environment in historic spaces of anatolian culture : a case study on Hacı Bayram mosque
(International Institute of Acoustics and Vibrations, 2016) Acun V.; Yilmazer, Semiha; Taherzadeh, P.
This article reports the initial finds of a research that is concerned with the perceived auditory environment within an historical mosque and its surroundings. Haci Bayram Mosque and its surrounding area of Hamamönü has been selected as the research site due to being the historical center of Ankara. Although there are studies concerned with the acoustical characteristics of mosques, there isn't enough research focusing on users' expectation and interpretation of the perceived auditory environment within a mosque. This study adopts the user focused of Grounded Theory to capture individuals' auditory sensation and interpretation of the perceived auditory environment within a historical mosque and its surroundings. In depth interviews are held with the congregation of the mosque and with the individuals sitting around the surrounding area. Based on their subjective responses, a theoretical framework is generated to gain an insight on the factors that affect individuals understanding and expectation from mosques. Acoustical characteristics of the mosque are analyzed by computer simulation and in-situ measurements of sound pressure levels. Objective room-acoustic indicators consist of reverberation time (RT) and speech transmission index (STI). The conceptual framework generated through Grounded Theory shows how perceived auditory environment may influence individuals' response to the physical environment of the mosque by showing the associations between the soundscape elements, spatial function and sense of place.
Open Access
Study of physical and mechanical properties of aerogel-modified expanded perlite aggregate and clay (AEP/C) board
(Elsevier, 2022-12-26) Mercan, Elif; Yilmazer, Semiha
The aerogel-modified expanded perlite aggregate and clay (AEP/C) composite boards were produced, and physical and mechanical properties were investigated. The aerogel modification of expanded perlite aggregate was carried out with optimization of the two-step acid-base catalyzed sol–gel method. The perlite shrinkage under high-temperature annealing was prevented by covering perlite surfaces with aerogel modification. The boards with aerogel-modified expanded perlite aggregate (AEP) wrapped by clay matrix were successfully produced. The unit volume mass (UVM) and specific gravity (SG) of AEP/C boards slightly increased to 0.55 ± 0.01 g/cm3 and 2.36 ± 0.01, respectively. On the other hand, produced AEP/C boards’ volume of voids of 36.23 ± 1.05 and water absorption (WA) of 83.91 ± 0.49 % were moderately lower than EPA/C. The mechanical strength of the AEP/C composite boards remained almost unchanged with 0.73 ± 0.04 N/mm2, and the aerogel modification had practically no effect on the mechanical strength of composite boards.