Acoustics

Sound Propagation
• Sound can be described as a disturbance or turbulence which passes through a physical medium in
the form of longitudinal waves from a source to a receiver causing a sensation of hearing.

• This medium could be solid, fluid or gas.

• The speed of sound through these different media differs due to their molecular composition.
Properties of Sound

• Wavelength of sound – This the distance between two pressure peaks or valleys, measured in
meters (m) and represented with the Greek alphabet ‘l’ (lambda).

• Period – This is the time taken for on complete oscillation. This is measured in seconds(s) and
represented with the letter ‘T’.

• Frequency – This is the number of oscillations per second. This is represented with ‘f’ and measured
in Hertz (Hz).
Properties 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.

• Amplitude – This is the distance between

a crest (the highest point) and a valley
(the lowest point).

• Pitch – it is the highness or lowness of a

tone determined by the rapidity of the
oscillations producing it.
Properties of Sound

• Reverberation- The sound that reflects around inside a room even after the source
has become silent until it (the sound) eventually loses energy.

• Less reverberation means that it is easier to understand speech in a given space.

• Soundproofing-  Soundproofing is a general term used to describe reducing sound

pressure between a source and the receiver.

• Noise pollution- Unwanted sounds that can have a negative impact on health and
the quality of an environment.
BEHAVIOUR OF SOUND IN AN ENCLOSER

• An enclosed space is a room or area bounded on

every of its sides.

The materials for enclosure may be classified into two:

• Those that allow sound rays to pass through

• Those that do not allow sound rays to pass

through.
BEHAVIOUR OF SOUND IN AN ENCLOSER
On encountering barriers posed by the enclosure, sound waves are likely to
behave in the following ways:

• Reflection

• Absorption

• Refraction

• Diffusion

• Diffraction

• Transmission
REFLECTION
• This 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
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
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.
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.
Diffusion
• 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.
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.

ACOUSTIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES
• Reduction in its intensity of sound – This can results due to the distance between its source and the
receiver.
ACOUSTIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES

• Absorption of direct sound by the audience – The listeners of the sound absorb some of the sound in the
process of hearing.
ACOUSTIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES

• Absorption of direct and reflected sound by surfaces – The walls, ceiling and floor of the enclosure absorbs
and reflect sound waves thereby controlling the way the sounds behave.

REFLECTED FROM CEILING

REFLECTED FROM FLOOR
DIRECT FROM THE SOURCE
ACOUSTIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES

• Reflection of sounds from right-angled corners - Sound incident to a right-angled corner of room will be
reflected back towards source if surfaces are acoustically reflective. This can in turn produce echoes
especially in large spaces.
ACOUSTIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES
• Dispersion of the sides of an enclosure - Reflections can be controlled by making one surface dispersive i.e.
not at right angle to each. This would have affected the reflection of the sound thereby affecting its
behavior.

• Edge diffraction of sound - Edge diffraction results in the curvature of part of a sound wave around the edge
of a barrier. This causes the obstacles to scatter the sound waves making it behave like a source of sound.
ACOUSTIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES
• Sound shadow - Any barrier interrupting a sound wave will create a shadow, synonymous to light rays.
However, because of edge diffraction some sound will creep into this but such penetration is frequency
dependent - high frequencies are less diffracted than low frequencies. Such problems can occur in
auditorium with balconies.
ACOUSTIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES
• 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.
 ARCHITECTURAL ACOUSTICS
Construction Techniques in Acoustic Planning of a Building
• Wall Mass and the Thickness are
Increased

• Use of Cavity Partition in

Buildings for Noise Control

• Increase Airspace Width of Walls

•  Increasing the Stud Spacing

• Usage of Studs in a Staggered

Manner

• Studs and Panels held together

by Resilient Materials

• Panels Used are Dissimilar

• Sound Absorbing Blankets Used

in the Airspace
The Cracks and Edges are Sealed-

The full advantage of a high-performance wall can be brought

out only when it is properly sealed and crack free. 
Proper Arrangement of Balconies for Noise Control-
Balconies provide access to the external environment as well as ventilation in the form of light and air. 

Having Courtyards for Noise Control-

Having courtyards helps in reduction noise control in buildings.
ACOUSTIC MATERIAL:
TYPES OF MATERIAL-

• Acoustical foam panels

• White paintable acoustical wall panels

• Fabric wrapped panels

• Acoustical wall coverings

• Acoustical wall coverings

• Baffles and banners for ceiling

• Fibre glass blankets and roll

ACOUSTIC MATERIAL:
TYPES OF MATERIAL-Acoustical foam panels

• TACKABLE FOAM- Design enables you to increase

thickness quickly by nesting layers. STACKABLE FOAM STANDARD POLYURETHANE
FOAM PATTERNS
• STANDARD POLYURETHANE FOAM PATTERNS-
Standard patterns include wedge, pyramid, max
wedge for low frequency absorption, ceiling baffles,
bermuda triangle traps for corners, sounds
cylinders free standing absorbers.

• FIRE RATED -Absorbers are lightweight open cell

foams used when a Class 1 fire rated foam is
required.
FIRE RATED ABSORBERS
ACOUSTIC MATERIAL:
TYPES OF MATERIAL-WHITE PAINTABLE PANELS

• Quick & Easy acoustical solution

• oft drywall texture appearance

• Create unique patterns

• Panel size allows for flexible mounting options

• Panel size allows for flexible mounting options

ACOUSTIC MATERIAL:
TYPES OF MATERIAL-FABRIC WRAPPED PANELS

• WALL PANELS

• CEILING CLOUDS

• CEILING TILES

• CEILING BAFFLES CEILING CLOUDS

WALL PANELS CEILING TILES CEILING BAFFLES

ACOUSTIC MATERIAL:
TYPES OF MATERIAL-FABRICS

• Acoustical fabrics are typically used to either absorb sound or as a

cover for acoustical panels. Some fabrics can also be used as a speaker
grill cloth or as a finish on other types of materials.

• SOUND CHANNELS WALL FABRICS- Acoustical wall fabric is a

dimensional fabric that offers excellent acoustical properties,
unmatched fade resistance, and a fire/smoke retardant class A rating.

• Sound channels is resistant to moisture, mildew, rot, bacteria, and is

non allergenic.
ACOUSTIC GREEN MATERIAL:
COIR FIBRE:

Coir Fibre is obtained from the husk of the coconut.

It is suitable as a substitute to synthetic fibres and wood-based materials for

acoustic absorption purposes.

These fibres have many advantages because they are cheaper, renewable,
non-abrasive and do not give rise to health and safety issues during
processing and handling.
ACOUSTIC GREEN MATERIAL:
COIR FIBRE:

● Coir is gold hued, naturally lustrous and fibrous in terms

of texture.

● It is used in combination with perforated panels and these

panels can then used for acoustical treatment.

● Available sizes of perfo1000mm x 2000mm, 1250mm x

2500mm, 1500mm x 3000mmrated panels -.

● Tiles and Mattings are also made out of coir which make
good sound absorbing materials.
ACOUSTIC GREEN MATERIAL:
COIR FIBRE:
ACOUSTIC GREEN MATERIAL:
CORK:

Cork is a prime subset of bark tissue that is harvested for

commercial use.

Cork can be separated from trees without causing permanent

damage.

It is an impermeable, buoyant material.

ACOUSTIC GREEN MATERIAL:
CORK:

• Cork is very easy to install.

• It is used in buildings where it is necessary to reduce noise

transmission from floor to floor or from room to room.

• Acoustic cork deadens the impact noise, such as that made by

high heel shoes on hardwood floors, ceramic, marble or stone
flooring.

• Cork wall panels and cork ceiling tiles are used for acoustical
treatment.
ACOUSTIC GREEN MATERIAL:
MOSS:

•
Moss is a natural lichen which can used indoors as well as in
shaded outdoor areas.

•
It needs a min. relative humidity of 40%, and does not require
any maintenance, light or water.

•
It blends with other acoustic materials like ceramic, wood, PVC,
EPS etc.

•
It has an absorption value of around 1.0.
 Thank you
AR. MD.S.H. FAIZY