JHOSSA MAE V.

EPONDULAN MARCH 23 2022

AR 323 - ARCH 31S1

PRELIM ASSIGNMENT 4

ACOUSTICAL DEFECTS
Some acoustical defects frequently result from inappropriate plans or from development
restrictions. In order to have a better acoustical outcome, it is important to use and choose
sound absorbent materials as well as reflective materials in an enclosed space like auditoriums.
Having a proper acoustical plan can also lessen or eliminate sound, which are known as
acoustical defects. There are different acoustical defect that can possibly occur in an enclosed
spaced:

The following are the list of acoustical defects that can be found in auditoriums;

1. Reverberation

One of the common reasons why it is difficult to understand someone in a

crowded room or even in a video conference is because of reverberation. It is the
amassing of sound waves in an enclosed space where sounds are being stacked up
which makes the direct communication more difficult due to the ambient of sound in a
particular space.

The image below shows how the sounds travel after it has been made, it shows
that whenever the sound waves hit or bounce off in a surface such as ceilings, floors,
walls and even in a furniture, the repeated reflection sound waves can actually make the
sounds to persist in an enclosed space even though the source of the sound has
stopped. This scenario resulting a sonic effect is called Reverberation.

Reverberations are usually caused by the improper absorption of materials used

in a space, these acoustical defects can also cause confusion to the listener with the
sound that they’ll listen next. The common remedy for reverberations is having a limited
window in an enclosed space because this can help in obtaining the optimum
reverberation time.
2. Formation of Echoes
Echoes are usually one of the defects that can be found in auditoriums, this
happens because some of the materials used in a space might not be effective to absorb
the sounds on it. It also happens because sound waves are being reflected back even
after the source has stopped; sometimes echo happens when the reflected sound waves
are being distinctly audible from the sound source.

https://www.dkfindout.com/us/science/sound/echoes

Commonly, sound waves bounce off smoothly, Echoes can be heard in an

enclosed space where there are lots of hard surfaces on it. Selecting a proper shape for
an auditorium is an important remedy for echo and using some splayed walls can also
reduce these kinds of acoustical defects. Having high ceilings with absorptive materials
can also to enhance the quality of the auditorium.

3. ACOUSTICAL SHADOWS

Acoustic shadows are also known as Sound shadow, another acoustical that
happens when sound waves fail to spread out due to the disturbance of a barrier such
as buildings, topographical disruption or even a disruption of waves due to wind currents
as well as sound barrier materials. When an area doesn’t receive enough amount of
reflected or direct sound the sound shadow occurs.
In order to minimize the acoustical defect of sound shadow, it is important to
place the right barrier based on the level of the noise source. Applying the right
sound-barrier materials can help to lessen the acoustical shadow as well as protect the
users from the noise coming from its source.
 4. SOUND CONCENTRATION

Whenever an auditorium has poor quality materials and planning, acoustical defects
from a sound concentration might occur. The non uniform distribution of sound like hot spots
and dead spots can be found in a poorly designed auditorium.

Dead spots happen where disruptive interference occurs due to at least two sound
waves interacting with each other, for instance, a performer in front of the audience is sending
sound waves into the crowd. There is a chance that some portion of the sound waves hit the
wall of the auditorium while others will travel through the listeners. In other situations, two
speakers canceling each other can cause disruptive interference and as a result, listeners would
hear nothing from the performer.

Hot spots occur when the sounds from all the sound sources raise and concentrate in a
particular space like ceiling. Therefore, it is important to build the right proportion for the Internal
spaces of the auditorium. Installing some reflectors and diffuser can also help to lessen the
dead spot.