29/07/2019

INTRODUCTION TO SOUND AND ROOM ACOUSTICS

BUILDING SERVICES IV
PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)
 Acoustics
• Of the five senses that we possess, hearing probably ranks second only to sight.
• Animal skins, horns were used as musical instruments which were later made of
metals.
• With sound as a major factor affecting human lives, it was only natural for interest
in the science of sound, or acoustics, to emerge.
• The earliest acousticians probably falls to the Greek philosopher Chrysippus, the
Roman architect-engineer Vitruvius and the Roman philosopher Severinus
Boethius.
• Joseph Sauveur suggested the term acoustics (from the Greek word for sound) for
the science of sound.
• Acoustics is no longer limited to the telephone and broadcasting industries, the
military, and university research centers.
• Architects are increasingly using acoustical engineers and acoustical designs to
ensure environmental harmony with the esthetic aspects of their designs.
• Architectural Acoustics can be defined as the science, study and application of
acoustic principles as they are implemented inside a building or structure.
Source - The science and applications of acoustics, Daniel R. Raichel
- Acoustics 101 for Architects

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
 The Nature of a Sound Event
Sound consists of vibrations of air molecules
Air molecules are analogous to tiny superballs
Sound occurs when air molecules are disturbed and made to ricochet off of each
other

Rarefied Normal Compressed

The ricochets cause the density of the air molecules to oscillate

The ricochets cause the density of the air molecules to oscillate back and forth

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
 Sound Wave Plots
• Sound waves are typically represented with
molecular density as a function of time

compressed

normal
time

rarefied

molecular density
 Wave Types
Sound consists of longitudinal waves

propagation

oscillation
The wave’s oscillation is in the same
direction as its propagation

Water waves are transverse waves

propagation

The wave’s oscillation is

perpendicular to the direction
oscillation
of its propagation
Sound
Propagation
Sound waves propagate in a
sphere from the sound source (try
to imagine a spherical slinky).
SOUND NEED A MATERIAL
TO TRAVEL
LIKE A DISTURBANCE TO
THE AIR PARTICLES
LIKE A VIBRATION
AIR HAS ELASTICITY
Note that the molecules
themselves are not travelling.
What spreads is the energy of the
wave.
 Sound Perception
• Speed of sound (in air): 1128 ft./SEC (344 m/sec)
• Sound wave is a mechanical wave.
• It needs a medium to travel.
• Sound cannot travel through vaccum.

• When sound waves

reach the eardrum,
they are transduced
into mechanical
energy in the middle
ear

❑ The mechanical
motion is transduced
SOUND TRAVELS THROUGH into electrical current
WATER & SOLIDS AS WELL in the inner ear.

• The auditory nerves

interpret the current
as sound
Music vs. Noise
Musical sounds are typically periodic – the wave repeats regularly
repeats
Sine wave

Though they don’t exist in nature,

sine waves are often useful for
demonstrating properties of
sounds

Noise is aperiodic – there is no repeating pattern

Noise
 SOUND

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
 Sound - Theory
• Sound (or noise) is the result of pressure variations, or oscillations, in an
elastic medium (e.g., air, water, solids), generated by a vibrating surface, or
turbulent fluid flow.
• Sound propagates in the form of longitudinal (as opposed to transverse) waves,
involving a succession of compressions and rarefactions in the elastic
medium, as illustrated.
• When a sound wave propagates in air the oscillations in pressure are above
and below the ambient atmospheric pressure.

Figure - Representation of a sound wave

(a) compressions and rarefactions caused
in air by the sound wave.
(b) graphic representation of pressure
variations above and below
atmospheric pressure.
P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
 Physics of sound
Wavelength of sound
• The distance a sound wave travels during one
cycle of vibration is termed as wavelength.
• Wavelength is commonly designated by
the Greek letter lambda (λ).
• The S.I unit of wavelength is meter.
• For sound waves in air, the speed of sound is
343 m/s.
• The wavelengths of sound frequencies audible to
the human ear (20 Hz–20 kHz) are thus between
approximately 17 m and 17 mm, respectively.
wavelength
• Wavelength is inversely proportional
to frequency waves with higher frequencies
have shorter wavelengths, and lower frequencies
have longer wavelengths.

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Frequency of sound- Physics of sound
• It is defined as the no. of vibrations completed by a particles in a
second.
• It is also defined as no. of cycles over a period of time is known as
frequency.
• Unit = Hertz(Hz) named after the 19th C. physicist 1 cycle/sec = 1 Hz
• The range of normal human hearing is approx. 20 Hz - 20 kHz; the
higher number tends to decrease with age.
• The wavelength of a sound is the inverse of its frequency.
• The formula is: wavelength (λ) = speed of sound/frequency.

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
 Physics of sound
Amplitude of sound-

• The average minimum distance of a particle from its mean

position is called as amplitude or
• This is the distance between a crest (the highest point) and a
valley (the lowest point)
• Amplitude on the positive and the negative side will be same in
distances.
• Amplitude represents the loudness of sound.

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
SOUND

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
 Physics of sound
Period of sound-

• This is the time taken for on complete oscillation. This is measured in

seconds(s) and represented with the letter ‘T’.

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

• An enclosed space is a room or area bounded on every of its sides.

The materials for enclosure may be classified into two:
a) Those that allow sound rays to pass through and
b) Those that do not allow sound rays to pass through.
• Areas bounded with materials that allow sound rays to pass through
tend to enjoy good acoustic as the effect of indirect sound from
reflection is reduced within the space.
• Sound from external source can pass into the enclosure as background
noise.
• The vibration of some of the materials can be a source of noise within
the space which affects clarity and audibility of speech/music.

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

• On encountering barriers posed by the enclosure, sound waves are

likely to behave in the following ways:

a) Reflection

b) Absorption

c) Refraction

d) Diffusion

e) Diffraction

f) Transmission

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

a) Reflection
• Occurs when the wavelength of a sound wave is smaller than the
surface of an obstacle.
• In the case of an enclosed space, the sound waves hit every side of
the enclosure continuously until the sound energy reduces to zero.
• The amount of waves reflected depends on the smoothness, size, and
softness of the materials of enclosure.
• The angle of incidence of sound rays is equal to that of the reflected
rays only if the surface of the reflector is flat. But when it is curved,
the angles are different.

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

b) Absorption
• When sound waves hit the surface of an obstacle, some of its energy
is reflected while some are lost through its transfer to the molecules
of the barrier.
• The lost sound energy is said to have been absorbed by the barrier.
• The thickness and nature of the material as regards its softness and
hardness influences the amount of sound energy absorbed.

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space
c) Refraction
• This is the bending of sound when it travels from one medium
into another medium.
• The difference in the composition of the two different media
bends the sound i.e. the angle of incidence changes into an angle
of refraction as it travels into the new medium.

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space
d) Diffusion
• This is the scattering of waves from a surface.
• It occurs as a result of the texture and hardness of the obstacle is
comparable to the wavelength of the sound.
• The direction of the incident ray changes when it strikes the
surface of the obstacle.
• Satisfaction is achieved when sound is heard in all direction at
equal level.

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

d) Diffraction
• When the wavelength of a sound wave is smaller or equal to
the size of the obstacle, the sound rays tend to bend round
the edge of the obstacle thereby turning the edge to a sound
source.

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

e) Transmission
• In this phenomenon, sound wave is carried by molecules of the
obstacle through vibration and re-emitted at the other side
irrespective of the medium.
• It can be structure borne, air borne or impact sound.

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

The behavior of sound in an enclosed space depends on many factors which include:
a) Reduction in its intensity of sound – due to the distance between source &
receiver.
b) Absorption of direct sound by the audience – listeners absorb sound while
hearing.
c) Absorption of direct and reflected sound by surfaces – walls, ceiling and floor of
the enclosure absorbs & reflects sound waves thereby controlling the behavior of
sound.
d) Reflection of sounds from right-angled corners - if surfaces are acoustically
reflective. This can in turn produce echoes especially in large spaces.
e) Dispersion of the sides of an enclosure - Reflections can be controlled by making
one surface dispersive i.e. not at right angle to each.
f) Edge diffraction of sound - causes the obstacles to scatter the sound waves
making it behave like a source of sound.
g) Primary reflection – This depends on the angle of incidence which is equal to the
angle of reflection. Also, the nature of sound reflector is important.
h) Panel resonance - Sound waves can propagate "through" a solid material by
panel vibration. The sound does not actually penetrate the material but rather
causes this to vibrate and act as a sound source itself. The panel will be vibrated
by both direct and reflected sound waves.
P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
Behavior of sound in an enclosed space

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
 ECHO

MORE THAN

A reverberation is quite different than an echo. A reverberation is perceived when the

reflected sound wave reaches your ear in less than 0.1 second after the original sound
wave. P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
 REVERBERATION

LESS THAN

A reverberation is quite different than an echo. A reverberation is perceived when the

reflected sound wave reaches your ear in less than 0.1 second after the original sound
wave. P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
 ECHO

SPEED OF SOUND IS 340 M/S

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)
 ECHO

SPEED OF SOUND IS 34 M/.1 S

 ECHO

IF THE DISTANCE BTW SOURCE AND REFLECTING SURFACE IS MORE THAN 17 M

ECHO HAPPENS
PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)
 REVERBERATION

IF THE DISTANCE BTW SOURCE AND REFLECTING SURFACE IS LESS THAN 17 M

REVERBERATION HAPPENS
PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)
 Physics of sound
Velocity of sound
• This is the rate at which a sound wave travels from a source through
a medium to the receiver.
• The unit is m/s.
Pitch
• It is the highness or lowness of a tone determined by the rapidity of
the oscillations producing it. or
• It is the subjective response of human being to frequency. Low
frequencies are considered bloomy and high frequencies are screechy
and hissy.
Loudness
• Loudness is related to three measurements:
• Power
• Pressure
• Intensity
All three are related to changes in sound pressure level (molecular density)

P R E P A R E D B Y : A R . A S H F A Q K A L I A R ( A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R B G S S A P )
 Physics of sound
PITCH

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)

 Physics of sound

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)

 Physics of sound
LOUDNESS

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)

 REVERBERATION
LOUDNESS DEPENDS ON THE ENERGY OF THE WAVE. IN GENERAL,
THE PITCH IS THE REASON BEHIND THE DIFFERENCE IN VOICE QUALITY
OF DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS. THE PITCH OF A SOUND DEPENDS ON THE
FREQUENCY WHILE LOUDNESS OF A SOUND DEPENDS ON THE
AMPLITUDE OF SOUND WAVES

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)

 REVERBERATION
Physics of sound
TIMBRE

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)

TIMBRE REVERBERATION
Physics of sound

The perceived difference in sound quality when two different instruments play
at the same pitch and loudness

Sine waves are useful as demonstrations because they are a wave with one
frequency only, thus they are often termed pure tones

Natural sounds are composed of multiple frequencies

To understand how a wave can be composed of multiple frequencies, we can

consider the behavior of a wave in a bounded medium, such as a string secured
at both ends (or air vibrating within a pipe)

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)

 REVERBERATION
Physics of sound

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)

 REVERBERATION
Physics of sound

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)

 REVERBERATION
Physics of sound

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)

 REVERBERATION
Physics of sound

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)

PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)
PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)
PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)
PREPARED BY: AR. ASHFAQ K ALIAR (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BGSSAP)