ACOUSTICS

Acoustics as applied to the buildings, is the science of sound

which assures the optimum conditions for producing and
listening to speech, music, actual or reproduced as recorded.
For a good acoustical design, sound proofing and insulation
against noises are required.
Good acoustical design promotes comfortable living, efficiency of
work etc.
Acoustics of Building involves the study of principles of
acoustics for the planning, design and construction of
certain rooms and buildings which are free from
disturbing noises and also provide the optimum
conditions for qualities of speech and music
Acoustics of Building include:
A. Characteristics of audible sound.
B. Behavior of sound and its effects.
C. Acoustics defects.
D. Acoustics of buildings.
E. Sound absorbents or acoustical materials.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUND:

Sound is in the form of waves consisting of series of

alternate compressions and rarefactions.
Travels in all directions.
Through all medium solid, liquid or gasses.
The average sound travels in air with a speed of
340m/second at ordinary temperature and pressure.
The velocity of sound depends upon the nature and
temperature of medium through it travels.
The velocity of sound in water is 4 times of that in air,
about 10 times in wood, 12 times in brick and 15 times in
steel.
Sound can not travel in vacuum, hence should have some
medium for its transmission.

There are 3 characteristics of audible sound:

Frequency or pitch.
Intensity or Loudness.
Measurement of sound
FREQUENCY OR PITCH:
It is defined as the number of cycles or vibrations per second.
Pitch is a measure of the quality of sound, in any way do not
affect the velocity of sound.
Greater the number of cycles, higher will be the pitch.
The whistle has a frequency of 20,000 c.p.s, while the lowest
audible sound has a frequency of sound below 20 c.p.s.(one
can not hear such a sound).
INTENSITY OR LOUDNESS:
It is defined as the flow of sound energy per second through
unit area, area being perpendicular to specified direction.
Intensity is purely physical quantity whereas loudness
depends upon characteristics of ear.

MEASUREMENT OF SOUND:
Sound is measured in Decibles
Sl
no:

Location noise source in

Different Buildings

Noise levels (dB)

Range

1.

Radio and T.V Studios

25-30

2.

Music room

30-35

3.

Hospital Auditorium

35-50

Apartments, Hotels and

homes

35-40

5.

Conference rooms, small

offices and libraries

35-40

6.

Court rooms and class rooms

40-45

7.

Large public offices, banks

and stores

45-50

8.

Restaurants

50-55

PRINCIPLES OF ACOUSTICS

When a sound originated from any source either as speech or

noise, it is transmitted in all the directions. This sound travels
till it strikes on some surface such as wall, ceiling, etc.

A part of it is reflected back, a part being absorbed by the

surface, and a part may be transmitted in part to another
side of the barrier.

The reflected sound which remains in the room is

represented as Reflection coefficient which is most
important acoustical design.

The reflected back sound if not properly controlled may leads

to acoustical defects such as Echoes, Reverberation.

The sound which is absorbed by the surface and transmitted

together are represented by Absorption coefficient.

Absorption coefficient is the ratio of energy absorbed

by the area to the energy striking the area. This depends
upon frequency of sound.

Absorption coefficient for an open window is taken as

Unity, as the sound wave will completely pass through it.

For porous surfaces the absorption coefficient is

high.

Any material used as acoustical material should have high

coefficient of absorption for economy and it should be fire
resistant.

For the normal frequency of 500 cycles per second. The

absorption coefficient is given the table.

Absorption coefficient for different surfaces:

Sl No:

Material

Absorption
coefficient per m2

1.

Open Window

1.0

2.

Ventilators, Acoustical material

0.1 to 0.5

3.

Unplastered brick wall, Glass

against solid wall, concrete floor

0.03

4.

Plaster on wall surface, Stage

curtain,

0.02

5.

Marble, Metal

0.01

6.

Solid wooden floor

0.09

7.

Framed wooden floor

0.13

8.

Windows glazed

0.18

9.

Curtains with heavy folds

0.4 to 0.75

ACOUSTICAL DEFECTS
Perfect acoustic condition in a room are obtained when
an average sound rises to a suitable intensity in
every part of the room with no echoes or distortion
of the original sound and dies quickly so as not to
interfere with success sounds.
To achieve this perfect acoustical condition one has to remove
all the defects.
Following are the defects:

Formation of echoes.
Reverberation.
Sound foci and Dead spots.
Insufficient loudness.
Exterior noise nuisance or Outdoor noise effects.
Summary of acoustical defects

Formation of echoes.

An echo is formed when a reflected sound wave coming

from the same source, reaches the ear, just when a direct
sound wave is already heard, thus there is repetition.

Echoes normally happen when the time lag b/w the two
voices or sounds is about 1/17th of a second and reflecting
surfaces are situated at the distance greater than 15m.

This may also occur when the reflected surface is curved

and smooth finish.

These causes disturbances and unpleasant hearing.

The remedy of this defect is select the proper shape and

surfaces and to use rough and porous materials for
interior surfaces.

Reverberation:
When sound undergoes multiple reflections, where echoes are formed
of maximum intensity which continuous for a longer time. This
prolongation of sound after the source produced it has died is
called Reverberation.
The remedy of this defect is by using suitable material of
acoustics for different reflection surfaces.
The prolonged time of reverberation is called Optimum time of
reverberation. It is the period of time in seconds which is
required for sound energy to decay or diminish by 60dB, after
sound sources has stopped.
The time depends on the volume and absorption characteristics
of the surfaces.
The time varies directly with the dimensions of the room but
inversely proportional to absorption.
Time of reverberation is calculated by:
t = (0.16V/A)
t- reverberation time in sec.
V- Volume of room in Cum
A-

Time of reverberation is the principle factor in achieving

good acoustical conditions.

Too long time results in overlap of speech and too short

results in deadness of sound. The correct time is optimum
time of reverberation which is in between the above two
limits.

Following table gives the information of Reverberation time for

various buildings:
Sl
N
o:

Type of Building

Optimum
Audience factor to be
Reverberation accounted in acoustic
time by
design
Sabines
formulae

1.

Cinema Theater 1.3 to 1.5

seconds

2/3rd

2.

Churches

1.8 to 3
seconds

2/3rd

3.

Law concert,
Conferences
rooms

1 to 1.5
seconds

1/3rd

4.

Music concert
hall

1.6 to 2
seconds

Full

5.

Assembly hall,
parliament hall

1 to 1.5 sec

Quorum (Most propable

size)

6.

Public lecture
hall

1.5 to 2 sec

1/3rd

Notes on Reverberation and Audience Factor:

Following table gives the idea of condition of building on Acoustical
building:
Time of
> than 5 sec
Very bad.
reverberati
on

b/w 5 to 3 sec

Bad

b/w 3 to 2 sec

Fairly good

b/w 2 to 1

Good

1/2

sec

b/w 1 to sec
Very Good
From the table shorter times of vibrations are better acoustical
conditions.
The optimum time of reverberation for an enclosure depends upon the
purpose which it is used. For cinema theaters or auditoriums the
reverberation time should be short, and for concrete halls and
churches it should be long enough. For the buildings used for dual
purposes the average value b/w the two should be adopted.
Time of reverberation depends on presence of audiences in the hall.
This is on account of absorption by the audience clothing. Greater the
time of reverberation when the room is empty than it is filled with
people.

Notes on Reverberation and Audience Factor:

For good acoustical results enough loudness is necessary
with optimum reverberation to enhance the qualities of
sound.
Time required for reverberation would depend on the
type of auditorium, type of sound.

SOUND FOCI AND DEAD SPOT:

SOUND FOCI:
In case of concave shaped, domed ceiling of an enclosure,
there is possibility of reflected sound rays to meet at the
point called sound focus, which causes the concentration
effect and create large intensity of sound.
These spots are called as Sound foci
This defect can be reduced by designing shapes of interior
faces including ceilings or by providing absorption material
on focussing material.
DEAD SPOT:
This is due to the side effect of sound foci, due to high
concentration of reflected sound at a point called sound foci.
Where there is a deficiency of sound at other points. These
spots of low intensity causing unsatisfactory hearing for the
audience are known as Dead spots.
This defect can be corrected by installation of suitable
diffusers, enabling uniform distribution of sound in the hall or
any other enclosures.

INSUFFICIENT LOUDNESS:
In case of auditoriums and theaters, it is acoustically
desirable that the speakers voice or music from the stage
should be easily audible to all the hall, with uniform intensity
and loudness .
To achieve this the sound should be properly reflected and
uniformly spread all over the interior of the enclosure.
This defect is rectified by
Arranging the hard reflecting surfaces near the stage.
By providing absorption of the hall of such an amount that an
optimum time of reverberation can be assured..
Use of loud speakers when the length of room is more, or
restricting the room length upto 25m.
By avoiding provision of deep balconies, use of adequate
number of windows or door openings.
The depth of balconies should not be more than 2 to 3
times of the front height.
The location of loud speakers, if used should be adjusted so
as to not cause sound foci and dead spots.