ACOUSTICS: SOUND PROPAGATION

• Sound Propagation, Acoustic Power and

Sound Pressure Level

• Human Response to Sound and

Sound Quality
 Sound Theory
What is Sound
Propagation of Sound
Velocity of Sound
Frequency
Fundamentals of
Wavelength
Architectural
Wave Form
Acoustics
Sound Magnitude
Sound Pressure
Acoustic Power
Sound Intensity
Intensity Level, The Decibel
Sound Theory

General

Architectural acoustics – technology of designing spaces,

structures, and mechanical systems to meet hearing needs.

3 common elements – source, transmission path, and

receiver.
Sound Theory

• What is Sound?
- a physical wave or a mechanical vibration, or
simply a series of pressures variations, in an elastic
medium.

- For architects, sound is simply an Audible Signal.

Figure of Sound Pressure Waves
 Propagation of Sound
• Medium possessing inertia and elasticity is needed to propagate a
physical disturbance detected by normal ear. (Sound waves do not travel
through a vacuum.)

• Auditory sensation produced by sound will be called sound sensation.

• Sound has its origin in vibrating bodies. (Wave motion is succession of

outwardly traveling layers of compressions and rarefaction.)

• Changes in pressure, density, and temperature due to passage of sound

wave through air are usually extremely small.
Velocity of Propagation
• Sound Propagation Velocity in Various Media

MEDIUM VELOCITY
(Meter per second at 22.20C)
Air 344
Water 1410
Wood 3300
Brick 3600
Concrete 3700
Steel 4900
Glass 5000
Aluminum 5800

Sound travels much faster in liquids and solids than it does in air.
 Speed of Sound
• As sound travels much slower than speed of light, resulting defects in many
rooms are echoes and reverberations.

• Speed of sound is independent of frequency, intensity, and changes in

atmospheric pressure.
_______
The speed of sound in air is given by √1.40 Ps/ρ
where Ps = atmospheric pressure
ρ = its density

• Velocity of Sound is often used interchangeably with speed of sound.

Speed of sound plays significant role in architectural acoustics.

Significant role of
SPEED OF SOUND
in architectural
acoustics
 Propagation of
Sound Waves:
• The speed of sound refers to the
rate at which sound waves travel
through a medium. In architectural
acoustics, understanding how sound
propagates within a space is crucial
for designing environments with
desirable acoustic qualities.
 Room Acoustics:
• The speed of sound affects various
aspects of room acoustics, including
reverberation time, clarity, and
sound diffusion. For instance, in
large auditoriums or concert halls, a
higher speed of sound can lead to
longer reverberation times, which
can enhance the richness of music
but may also reduce speech
intelligibility if not properly
controlled.
 Materials Selection:
• Architects and acoustic engineers consider the speed of sound
when selecting materials for building interiors. Materials with
different densities and compositions can affect the speed of
sound and how sound waves are reflected, absorbed, or
transmitted. For example, porous materials like acoustic panels
can absorb sound waves, thereby reducing reverberation and
improving speech clarity.
Design Considerations:
• Architectural features such as room
shape, dimensions, and surface
finishes influence the speed of
sound within a space. Curved
surfaces, for instance, can help
diffuse sound waves, while parallel
surfaces may cause sound
reflections leading to undesirable
effects like standing waves or
flutter echoes.
 Performance Spaces:
• In performance venues like theaters,
concert halls, and recording studios,
optimizing the speed of sound is
essential for achieving the desired
acoustic environment. Designers may
use computer simulations and
acoustic modeling techniques to
predict how sound will behave in a
space and make informed decisions
about architectural elements and
materials.
 Human Perception:
• Ultimately, the speed of sound
impacts how humans perceive and
experience sound within architectural
spaces. An understanding of
acoustics allows architects and
designers to create environments
that enhance the listening
experience, whether it be for music,
speech, or other forms of
communication.
• In summary, the speed of sound is a
fundamental consideration in
architectural acoustics, influencing
the design, construction, and
experience of built environments in
various contexts.
• Understanding how sound behaves
within a space is essential for
creating spaces that are both
functional and aesthetically pleasing.
 Frequency

Frequency is the number of times cycle of compressions and rarefactions of air

(or to and for vibrations that the source) makes in a given unit of time or 1 second.
Frequency
Wavelength of Types of Propagation

• Wavelength – distance between similar points on successive waves or

the distance the sound travels in one cycle of vibration.

‫ = ג‬C/f or ‫ג‬f = C

where ‫(ג‬lambda) = wavelength in ft or M.

C = velocity of sound in fps or m/sec
f = frequency of sound Hz
Wave Form
 Acoustical Power
• The Approximate Peak Sound Power Output of Conversation Speech and of Several Musical Instruments
(Bell Telephone Laboratories)

Source Peak Power in Watts

Conversational Speech female 0.002
Male 0.004
Clarinet 0.05
Bass Viol 0.16
Piano 0.27
Trumpet 0.31
Trombone 6.00
Bass Drum, 0.90 x 0.38 25.00
Orchestra, 75 pieces 10 to 70
 Sound Intensity
• Defined as the rate of flow of sound energy through a unit
area at that point, the unit area being perpendicular to the
specified direction.

I = P/A where; I = the sound intensity in w/cm2 or w/m2;

P =acoustic power in watts and
A = area in cm2 (m2).

I = P/4π2 w/cm2, where r is the radius of an imaginary enclosing

sphere.

The threshold of hearing or minimum sound power intensity that a normal ear can detect is 10-16 w/cm2.
The maximum sound intensity that ear can accept without damage is approximately 10-3 w/cm
Intensity Level (IL) the Decibel (db)
IL = 10 log I/Io, where: IL = intensity level in decibels
I = intensity in watts per square centimeter
lo = base, 10-16 w/cm2 (threshold of
hearing)
Human Response to
Sound

•HOW WE HEAR
 Sound
Propagation
Acoustic Power

and Sound
Pressure Level
Sensitivity
of the Ear
Sound
Pressure
Level
END
Activity 1- Title: Exploring Architectural Acoustics

• Objective:
• To understand the principles of architectural acoustics and their
application in building design.
• To explore the impact of architectural elements on sound quality and
reverberation within different spaces.

• Classroom or lecture hall with varying acoustic properties (if

possible).
• Sound level meter or smartphone apps for measuring sound levels.
Activity Outline:

• Download a sound level meter or smartphone apps to measure sound levels and reverberation times
in each space. (Choose 3 different rooms)

• Take the reverberation rate of each room

• Take down the factors such as seating arrangement, wall materials, ceiling height, and sound-
absorbing elements

• LIST DOWN THE FACTORS THAT AFFECTS THE REVERBERATION RATE/TIME OF THE ROOM

• Present this in PPTX next meeting of your Conclusions.

GUIDE
• Equipment Needed:
1.Smartphones: Ensure each student has a smartphone with a sound
meter application installed. There are several free and paid sound
meter apps available for both iOS and Android devices.
2.Timer: To measure the duration of the sound decay.
3.Test Signal Source: You can use any loud sound source, such as
clapping hands, popping a balloon, or playing a short burst of music
from another device.
Experimental Procedure:
1.Preparation:
1. Select the rooms you want to test. Ensure they are empty and free from any extraneous
noise sources.
2. Close all doors and windows to minimize outside noise interference.
3. Ensure all smartphones have the sound meter application installed and calibrated according
to the app's instructions.
2.Setup:
1. Choose a predetermined position for placing the smartphone within each room. It's ideal to
place it at ear level and away from any reflective surfaces.
2. Position the test signal source (e.g., clapping hands) at a consistent distance from the
smartphone in each room.
3.Baseline Measurement:
1. Take a baseline measurement of the background noise level in each room using the sound
meter application. This helps ensure accurate measurements by subtracting background
noise from the recorded sound data.
4. Test Signal:
1. Emit the test signal (e.g., clap your hands or use any loud sound source) in each
room.
2. Start the timer as soon as the test signal is emitted.
5. Measurement:
1. Use the sound meter application to record the sound level as it decays over time.
2. Record the time it takes for the sound level to drop by 60 dB from the initial peak
level. This duration represents the reverberation time (RT60) of the room.
6. Data Collection:
1. Record the reverberation time measurements for each room using the smartphones.
2. Ensure you note down the exact positions of the smartphones and the test signal
source for each measurement.
7. Analysis:
1. Calculate the average reverberation time for each room based on the
recorded measurements.
2. Compare the reverberation times of different rooms and analyze any
observed differences.
8. Results Presentation:
1. Present your findings in a clear and organized manner. You can create tables
or charts to compare the reverberation times of different rooms.
2. Discuss any trends or patterns observed in the data.
9. Discussion:
1. Discussion with your class about the experiment and its results. Students to
share their observations and interpretations.
2. Discuss the factors that may influence reverberation time in different rooms,
such as room size, shape, and materials.
Conclusion:

• Summarize the key findings of the experiment and draw conclusions

based on the results.
• Discuss the implications of reverberation time measurements in
various applications, such as room acoustics and sound quality.