Scribd
Upload
213 views4 pages

Introduction To Acoustics

This document provides an introduction to acoustics, which is the branch of physics dealing with sound. It discusses the generation, transmission, and reception of sound waves by the ear. Architectural acoustics aims to create a satisfactory acoustic environment through sound control and isolation of unwanted noises. Key concepts discussed include sound waves, wavelength, amplitude, frequency, pitch, decibels, reflection, and reverberation. Different shapes of reflective surfaces like concave, flat, and convex are compared in terms of their effectiveness in distributing sound.

Uploaded by

Clarence Mamucod
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
213 views4 pages

Introduction To Acoustics

This document provides an introduction to acoustics, which is the branch of physics dealing with sound. It discusses the generation, transmission, and reception of sound waves by the ear. Architectural acoustics aims to create a satisfactory acoustic environment through sound control and isolation of unwanted noises. Key concepts discussed include sound waves, wavelength, amplitude, frequency, pitch, decibels, reflection, and reverberation. Different shapes of reflective surfaces like concave, flat, and convex are compared in terms of their effectiveness in distributing sound.

Uploaded by

Clarence Mamucod
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

INTRODUCTION TO ACOUSTICS

The hearing mechanism of the ear senses sound waves, converts them to information, relays it to the brain, brain
interprets the information as sound.

ACOUSTICS: branch of physics that deals with the production, control, transmission, reception and effects of sound.
1. SOUND SOURCE - generation of sound
2. TRANSMISSION PATH – airborne, structure borne, waterborne
3. RECEIVER (RECIPIENT) – accepts the sound whether wanted or unwanted
 WANTED SOUND – speech, Music
 UNWANTED SOUND – noise (objectionable or not desired)

ARCHITECTURAL ACOUSTICS
1. Effect of building design on sound control in buildings
2. Principles of acoustics to create a satisfactory acoustical environment
 Types of sound control for Architectural Acoustics
a. Acoustical environment in a room: positioning sound sources to the listeners, and arranging
absorptivity or reflectivity levels for all interior surfaces.
b. Isolation of unwanted sounds: insulating building occupants from intrusive noise.

SOUND:
The sensation stimulated in the organs of hearing by
mechanical radiant energy transmitted as longitudinal
pressure waves through the air or other medium.

SOUND WAVE: a longitudinal pressure wave in air


or an elastic medium especially one producing an
audible sensation.

WAVELENGTH
The distance, measured in the
direction of propagation of a AMPLITUDE
wave, from any point to the next The maximum deviation of a wave or
point of corresponding phase. Alternating current from its average value.

PITCH:
FREQUENCY
the quality of a sound governed by the rate of
The number of cycles per unit
vibrations producing it; the degree of highness
time of a wave or oscillation.
or lowness of a tone. WAVE FRONT
HERTZ A surface of a propagating
TREBLE sounds have high frequencies (high-pitched) wave composed at any instant
The SI unit of frequency, equal to
BASS sounds have low frequencies (low pitched) of all points having identical
one cycle per second. Hz
phase, usually perpendicular to
the direction of propagation.
Normal person can hear sounds with frequencies from roughly 20 to 20,000 Hz.
The sound of human speech is mainly in the range 300 to 3,000 Hz.
What is a DECIBEL?
- a logarithmic scale applicable to any parameter. Abbr.: dB
- It is used to express the ratio of one value of a power or root-power quantity to another, on a logarithmic
scale.

LOUDNESS:
a subjective response to sound indicating the magnitude of the auditory sensation produced by the amplitude of
a sound wave.

VIBRATION:
a mechanical phenomenon whereby oscillations occur about an equilibrium point.

PLENUM BARRIER
An acoustical barrier erected in a plenum
over a partition to reduce sound
transmission between adjoining rooms
VIBRATION ISOLATOR
A resilient base for mechanical equipment,
installed to reduce the transmission of
vibration and noise to the supporting
structure. Also called isolation mount

INERTIA BLOCK
A heavy concrete base for vibrating
mechanical equipment to decrease the
potential for vibratory movement.
In an enclosed space, when a sound source
stops emitting energy, it takes some time for
the sound to become inaudible. This
prolongation of the sound in the room
caused by continued multiple reflections is
called REVERBERATION.

What is REFLECTION?

3 meters distance

On
Reflected sound strikes a surface or several
average 1st reflection distance
is 1.4 m surfaces before reaching the receiver.
= 4.1 m
high

1st reflection distance = the (squareroot of 1.4 + squareroot of 1.5) x 2 = 4.1 m

PATTERN OF REFLECTED SOUND


Shown below in order of increasing effectiveness for distributing sound are concave, flat and convex sound-
reflecting surfaces. The shading on the illustrations indicates the distribution pattern of reflected sound
energy from equivalent lengths of reflector.

CONCAVE REFLECTOR
Concave sound-reflecting surfaces (such as barrel-vaulted
ceilings in churches and curved rear walls in auditorium) can focus
sound, causing hot spots and echoes in the audience seating area.
Concave surfaces focus sound, they are also poor distributors of sound
energy and therefore should be avoided where sound-reflecting
surfaces are desired. (e.g., near stage, lectern or other source locations
in rooms.)
FLAT REFLECTOR

Flat, hard-surfaced building elements, if large


enough and oriented properly, can effectively distribute
reflected sound. The reflector shown is titled slightly to
project sound energy toward the rear of an auditorium.

CONVEX REFLECTOR

Convex, hard-surfaced building elements, if large


enough, can be most effective as sound-distributing forms.
The reflected sound energy from convex surfaces diverges,
enhancing diffusion, which is highly desirable for music
listening. In addition, reflected sound from convex surfaces
is more evenly distributed across a wide range of
frequencies.

You might also like