Room Acoustics

Data is displayed for academic year: 2023./2024.

Course Description

Sound propagation in closed spaces. Influence of shape and volume on acoustical properties of room. Objective and subjective parameters of acoustical quality of a room. Methods for evaluation of acoustical quality of rooms. Acoustical elements: absorbers, diffusers and reflectors. Design of acoustical elements. Calculation of basic acoustical parameters of rooms. Computer simulations of acoustical properties of rooms. Acoustical requirements for typical rooms (classrooms, theaters, concert halls, multipurpose halls). Measurements of objective parameters of acoustical quality of rooms. Subjective evaluation of acoustical quality of rooms. Auralization.

Study Programmes

University undergraduate
[FER3-EN] Computing - study
Elective Courses (5. semester)
[FER3-EN] Electrical Engineering and Information Technology - study
Elective Courses (5. semester) (6. semester)
University graduate
[FER3-EN] Control Systems and Robotics - profile
Elective course (3. semester)
Elective courses (1. semester)
[FER3-EN] Electrical Power Engineering - profile
Elective courses (1. semester)

Learning Outcomes

  1. estimate the acoustical properties of spaces
  2. design the acoustical treatment
  3. choose appropriate elements of acoustical treatment
  4. design acoustical elements
  5. apply acquired knowledge for calculation of reverberation time, speech intelligibility and music clarity
  6. arrange the acoustical requirements into a project task
  7. appraise critical acoustical parameters depending on specific use of hall

Forms of Teaching

Lectures

The theory behind the room acoustical phenomena is explained. These phenomena are also explained through demonstrations, where applicable.

Exercises

Calculation tasks based on theory are solved in class.

Independent assignments

The students are required to write an essay on a topic of choice, within the scope of the course. As the task of the final project, the students need to choose a room and design the acoustics inside using any kind of room acoustics simulation software, following all the demands and guidelines with respect to the size and the purpose of the chosen space.

Laboratory

The students are acquainted with the design, measurement and evaluation techniques used in room acoustics, and are motivated to use them by working in small groups.

Week by Week Schedule

  1. Helmholtz equation
  2. Acoustic impedance
  3. Room shape; Room volume
  4. Natural frequencies of spaces, standing waves
  5. Objective acoustic parameters of spaces, Subjective acoustic parameters of spaces
  6. Optimal and suboptimal values of acoustic parameters
  7. Elements for adjustable acoustics
  8. Midterm exam
  9. Anechoic chambers, Reverberation chambers, Other measurement spaces
  10. Acoustic measurement of spaces, In-situ measurements
  11. Multifunctional spaces; Adjustment of the use of spaces
  12. Geometrical acoustics, Virtual source methods, Ray tracing methods
  13. Hybrid and other methods, Numerical models of spaces, Auralization process; Binaural and B-format impulse response
  14. Project
  15. Final exam

Literature

Heinrich Kuttruff (2017.), Room Acoustics (Sixth Edition), Taylor & Francis Group
Marshall Long (2014.), Architectural Acoustics (2nd Edition), Elsevier
M. David Egan (2007.), Architectural Acoustics, J. Ross Publishing

For students

General

ID 222908
  Winter semester
5 ECTS
L2 English Level
L2 e-Learning
45 Lectures
0 Seminar
15 Exercises
10 Laboratory exercises
0 Project laboratory

Grading System

Excellent
Very Good
Good
Sufficient