Room Acoustics

Reverberation
Reverberation

direct reflected
sound sounds
Sustained sound

Reverberation time = time it takes for loudness

decrease by 60 dB
 Acoustics characteristics of auditoriums

liveness : reverberation time

intimacy: time to the first reflected sound to arrive
fullness/clarity: direct sound versus reflected sound
volume
warmth/brilliance: reverberation time for low
frequencies larger/smaller than for high frequencies
Problems in acoustic design

Focusing
 Problems in acoustic design
Focusing
 Shadows

only low
frequencies
behind the
overhang
Walt Disney Hall (LA Philharmonic)
External noise

Solution: shielding, shielding, shielding !

Acceptable noise
Recording studio 25dB
Auditoriums,
classrooms 30dB
Homes 40dB
Restaurants 50db (!)
Calculation of reverberation time (engineer style)

V V
volume (ft3)
TR 55.2 0.050
vs A A
absorption (ft2)
reverberation time (s)

A is the sum over all absorbing surfaces

 Calculation of Reverberation Time
An approximate formula for the reverberation time, TR is
given below: V
T 55.2
R
SA
V = Volume of the room in cubic feet, S = speed of sound in
ft/s, A = absorption in sabin. V
TR 0.050
A
A a1 A1 a 2 A2 a3 A3 a 4 A4 .......
0.050V
TR .
a1 A1 a 2 A2 a3 A3 a 4 A4 ......
A1, A2,are the areas of the various types of absorbing
surfaces, and a1, a2, are the absorption coefficients of the
Example:
13ft by 20ft by 8ft room
4 walls of plaster (absorption coefficient 0.1)
carpet floor (absorption coefficient 0.3)
absorptive tile ceiling (absorption coefficient 0.6)

walls floor ceiling

A 2 (20 8) 2 (13 8) 0.1 (13 20) 0.3 (13 20) 0.6
286 sabins
 volume

13 20 8
TR 0.050 0.36 seconds
286.8

Warning:
The aborption coefficient depends on the
frequency
people absorb sound: 1 person = 2.5 sabins
person + upholstered seat = 3 sabins
 Requirements of Acoustics/
Acoustical Features of Auditoriums
Each Separate syllable spoken should produce energy in every
part of the hall enough for comfortable listening
Multiple reflections in the absence of suitable absorbents cause
the successive sounds blend with the earlier ones resulting in
lack of intelligibility, known as excessive reverberation. It means
that the reflecting surfaces and absorbents should be so
planned that the sound of each syllable should decay before the
arrival of the next syllable.
Sound should be fairly uniformly distributed throughout the
auditorium. Concentration of sound due to focusing in any
specific area of the hall should be eliminated. There should be
no zone of silence or no region of poor audibility anywhere in
the hall.
The total quality of sound should not be
affected by any other overtones
The external undesired sound i.e., noise
should not enter the hall or auditorium
 Acoustical Design Parameters
of Auditorium
Reverberation Time
Absorbents
Distribution of absorbent materials
Openings
Seats
Resonance
Insulation
Elimination of concave or curved surfaces
Diverging sidewalls
 Discontinuity
Balconies
Stage and seating