Room Acoustics

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

Lecturers

Assoc. Prof.
Marko Horvat
Prof.
Kristian Jambrošić
Prof.
Antonio Petošić

Course Description

Room acoustics deals with sound in closed spaces, and the basic idea and goal of this field of acoustics is to achieve optimal acoustic conditions in a closed space depending on its size and intended purpose. The application of this philosophy extends to a wide range of closed spaces, from special-purpose spaces such as concert halls, rehearsal rooms, studios and control rooms to more universal spaces such as classrooms and lecture rooms, houses of worship, multi-purpose halls, hospitals and many other types of public and private spaces. The very beginning of the course presents fundamental physical concepts related to the propagation and the behaviour of sound in closed spaces, and the size and shape of a space are considered as factors that have an influence on the acoustics of a space. Measurements and objective evaluation, as well as subjective evaluation of acoustic quality of a space are presented, and appropriate objective and subjective parameters are defined for this purpose. Fundamental principles of room acoustic design are considered, to be applied not only to new, not yet built spaces, but also the existing ones that need refurbishment. Relevant requirements and criteria that are used as guidelines in the design process are defined. A special chapter is dedicated to acoustics of small spaces with all their peculiarities. Basic principles of sound absorption, diffusion and reflection are presented. Acoustic elements and constructions that possess one of these properties are displayed, as well as fundamental calculations required for their design. Methods of calculating the basic room acoustic parameters are shown, as well as computer-aided room acoustic simulations. The final part of the course presents auralization, i.e. the procedure which allows a sample of sound (speech, music, etc.) to be processed and reproduced to listeners in a form it would have if listened to in the designed space.

Study Programmes

University graduate
[FER3-HR] Audio Technologies and Electroacoustics - profile
(1. semester)
[FER3-HR] Communication and Space Technologies - profile
Elective Courses (1. semester) (3. semester)
[FER3-HR] Computational Modelling in Engineering - profile
Elective Courses (1. semester) (3. semester)
[FER3-HR] Computer Engineering - profile
Elective Courses (1. semester) (3. semester)
[FER3-HR] Computer Science - profile
Elective Courses (1. semester) (3. semester)
[FER3-HR] Control Systems and Robotics - profile
Elective Courses (1. semester) (3. semester)
[FER3-HR] Data Science - profile
Elective Courses (1. semester) (3. semester)
[FER3-HR] Electrical Power Engineering - profile
Elective Courses (1. semester) (3. semester)
[FER3-HR] Electric Machines, Drives and Automation - profile
Elective Courses (1. semester) (3. semester)
[FER3-HR] Electronic and Computer Engineering - profile
Elective Courses (1. semester) (3. semester)
[FER3-HR] Electronics - profile
Elective Courses (1. semester) (3. semester)
[FER3-HR] Information and Communication Engineering - profile
Elective Courses (1. semester) (3. semester)
[FER3-HR] Network Science - profile
Elective Courses (1. semester) (3. semester)
[FER3-HR] Software Engineering and Information Systems - profile
Elective Courses (1. semester) (3. 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 222437
  Winter semester
5 ECTS
L2 English Level
L2 e-Learning
45 Lectures
0 Seminar
15 Exercises
10 Laboratory exercises
0 Project laboratory
0 Physical education excercises

Grading System

Excellent
Very Good
Good
Sufficient

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