ACOUSTICS

Acoustics deals with the generation, propagation and hearing of sound.

Reverberation:Reverberation is the prolongation of sound as a result of many reflections even
the source of sound is switched off.
Reverberation time:
Def-1: The time taken by the maximum sound energyto reach the threshold of audibilityis
defined as reverberation time.
Def-2: According to Sabine, reverberation time is defined as the time taken by the maximum
sound energy to decrease 106(1 millionth) of the maximum value.
i.e., t = T, E =

E max
106

, where T = Relaxation time.

By Sabine, Reverberation time can be found by T =

0.16V
A

, where A = as = a1s1 +a2s2 +

.. is the total absorption of all surfaces measured by open window unit (O.W.U).
Therefore T =

0.16V
as

Proof of Sabines formula for reverberation time (T):

The decay of sound is given by E = Em e-t. . (1) Where =
Em

According to Sabines at t = T, E =

10

1
Substitute (2) in (1), then, 10 6

1
eT

.. (2)

CA
4V

 e t 106
Apply "log" on both sides

T log e 6 log10
e
T 6 log10
e
T 6 2.303 log 10
10
T 6 2.303
Since ,

CA
, then,
4V

CA

T 6 2.303
4V
6 2.303 4V
T
, where C 330 m / sec is velocity of sound
CA
6 2.303 4V
T
330 A
0.16 V 0.16V
T

A
as

Eyrings Formula for Reverberation time (T)

T

0.16V
S
(1 a )
n

Where, V = Volume of the room in m3

S = Total surface area of the room in m2.
a = Average absorption coefficient of room surfaces.
Sound absorption
The sound energy incident on any surface, A part of the incident energy is absorbed and
remaining energy is reflected. The units of sound energy are (O.W.U) or Sabines.
The sound energy can be measured in terms of absorption coefficient as
Absorption coefficient =

Es
Ew

Energy absorbed by the surface of material

Energy absorbed by open window
Material
Open window
Fiber glass
Heavy curtains

Absorption co-efficient
1
0.75
0.50

Absorption Coefficient in terms of Reverberation time

For an open hall of volume (V) free from absorbing material, the reverberation time
0.16 V 0.16 V

A
as

T1

1
as ..........(1)

T1 0.16 V
For a material of absorption coefficient (a1 ) with surface area ( s1 ) , the reverberation time
1

T2

as a s

1 1

0.16V

..................(2)

Nowtake (2) (1), then

as
1 1
11
T2 T1 0.16 V
0.16V 1 1

s1 T2 T1
This is the formula for measuring absorption coefficient in terms of reverberation time.
Therefore, a1

Basic requirements of acoustically good hall

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The reverberation should be optimum (neither too large nor too small).
There should be no Echelon effect.
There should be no resonance with in the building.
The hall must be full of audience.
The total quality of speech and music must be unchanged.
There should be no concentration of sound in any part of the hall.