Architectural Acoustics

Third Lecture

Maysoon Safi Yasir

Architecture Dept.
College of Engineering
University of Kerbala
Physical Properties of Sound
Architectural Acoustic
What is acoustic?
Acoustic is the science of sound which
deals with the properties of sound waves.
Some of the important applications in the
field of engineering are electro-acoustics,
design of acoustical instruments and
architectural acoustics.

Classification of sound
Sound waves are classified in 3
types:
1. Infrasound (f<20 Hz)
2. 2. Audible sound (20 Hz<f<20 kHz)
3. 3. Ultrasound (f>20 kHz)
Classification of audible sound
Audible sound is classified in two types:
A- Musical sound : The sound which produces
pleasing effect on the ear is called musical sound.
Example : guitar, violin, flute, piano, etc.

Properties of musical sound

The musical sound waveforms are regular in shape.
They do not undergo a sudden change in amplitude.

B- Noise: The sound that produces a jarring effect on

the ear is called nose. Example:- Sound of airplane ,road
traffic ,crackers ,etc.

Properties of noise
The noise waveforms are irregular in shape.
They undergo a sudden change in amplitudes.
Characteristics of
musical sound

The characteristic of musical

sound are:

• Loudness- Related to
intensity of sound.

• Pitch- Related to
frequency of sound.

• Timber- Related to quality

of sound.
Sound intensity
Sound intensity is measured in Decibels (dB). This
is a logarithmic scale in which an increase of 10
dB gives an apparent doubling of loudness.

Sound pitch is measured in Hertz (Hz), the

standard unit for the measurement for frequency.
The audible range of sound for humans is
typically from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, although,
through ageing and exposure to loud sounds the
upper limit will generally decrease.

As well as intensity and frequency, sound also

transmits information. For example, music or
speech, transmit information, which people may
perceive differently from other sounds.

Intensity 𝑰 of sound wave at a point is defined as

the amount of sound energy P flowing per unit
𝑰 = P /At Where ;
f= Frequency
area A in unit time t when the surface is held
𝑰 = 2π² f² a² ρv a=Amplitude UNIT:- W/m²
ρ=Density
normal to the direction of the propagation of v=velocity
sound wave.
Intensity Level
The intensity level of a sound is defined as the logarithmic ratio
of intensity 𝑰 of a sound to the standard intensity 𝑰0 .

𝑰𝑳 = 10 log (𝑰 / 𝑰0 ) (dB)
𝑰0 = reference Intensity = 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟐 W/m²
 BEHAVIOUR OF SOUND IN AN ENCLOSURE
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 and
• Those that do not allow sound rays to pass through.

Areas bounded with materials that allow sound rays to pass through tend to enjoy good acoustic as the effect of indirect
sound from reflection is reduced within the space. In this space, sound from external source can pass through the
material into the enclosure as background noise.
The vibration of some of the materials can be a source of noise within the space and this can be a bane to the
achievement of clear and audible speech and music.
The effect of indirect sound may be pronounced in spaces enclosed with materials that do not allow the passage of
sound rays through them. Adjustments to the material to aid diffusion will improve the acoustic of the space. Some of
these materials can absorb sound, reducing the effect of indirect sound.
On encountering barriers posed by the enclosure, sound waves are likely to behave in the following ways:
• Reflection
• Absorption
• Transmission
• Diffusion
• Refraction
• Diffraction
• Reverberation and Echo
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.

Transmission
In this phenomenon, sound wave is carried by
molecules of the obstacle through vibration and
reemitted at the other side irrespective of the
medium. It can be structure borne, air borne or
impact sound.
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.
Diffraction
When the wavelength of a sound wave is smaller or equal to the
size of the obstacle, the sound rays tend to bend around the edge of
the obstacle thereby turning the edge to a sound source.
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.
Reverberation and Echo
A lot of people are confused about the difference between reverberation and an echo.

Reverberation
Is the persistence of sound after the sound source has been stopped. It results from a large number of
reflected waves which can be perceived by the brain as a continuous sound.
It is one the most prominent behaviours of sound in an enclosure. It occurs when sound waves hits a
surface and are reflected toward another surface which also reflects it.
Some of the sound is absorbed with this continuous reflection which gradually reduces the energy of
the sound to zero. The phenomenon can affect the audibility of sound in an enclosure, especially if
the reverberation time, which is the time taken for the sound pressure level to diminish to 60 dB
below its initial value is considerably long.

Echo
This occurs when the reverberation time is long enough to use a distinct repetition of the direct
sound. This condition is an advanced form of reverberation where the sound is heard clearly and
repeatedly after some time until it fades.
It is normally assumed that if there is a delay of 0.05 s or more between the first and the second
sound reaching the ear, then they will be perceived by the brain as separate events rather than one
extended event.
The illustration below provides indicative reverberation times for a range of building types and room
volumes.
 : ‫خواص اللوغاريتمات‬

Log 𝒙 y = Log 𝒙 + Log y ß = 10 log (𝑰 / 𝑰0 )

Log 𝒙 /y = Log 𝒙 – Log y 120 = 10 log (𝑰 / 1* 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟐 )
Log 𝒙𝒏 = n Log 𝒙 12 = log (𝑰 * 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟐 )
Log 10 = 1 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟐 = 𝑰 * 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟐
Log 1 = 0 𝑰 =1
Homework No. 1

What sound intensity level in dB is produced by earphones that

create an intensity of 4.00×10−2 W/ 𝑚2 ?
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