ASSIGNMENT-2

BUILDING SERVICES-3

ACOUSTICS

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

AR. SURJEET SINGH DEEPALI RAI

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR B.ARCH 4th YR.
I.A.T.P. BU JHANSI 7th SEMESTER
I.A.T.P. BU JHANSI
 CONTENT

S.NO. TOPIC PAGE NO.

I. PROPERTIES OF SOUND 1-2

II. PROPAGATION OF SOUND 3
III. CHARACTERSTICS OF SOUND 4
IV. PITCH 4
V. LOUDNESS 4
VI. TIMBRE 4
VII. BEHAVIOUR OF SOUND IN AN ENCLOSURE 5
VIII. REFLECTION 5
IX. REFRACTION 6
X. DIFFUSION 6
XI. DIFFRACTION 6
XII. ABSORPTION 7
XIII. TRANSMISSION 7
XIV. ECHO 7
XV. REVERBERATION 8
XVI. SOUND ABSORPTION 9
XVII. TYPES OF SOUND ABSORPTING MATERIALS 10
XVIII. DIFFERENT TYPES OF MATERIALS 11-12
PROPERTIES OF SOUND
WAVELENGTH OF SOUND - A wavelength is a measure of distance between two identical peaks
or crests -- high points -- or between two identical troughs -- low points -- in a wave.
Wavelengths represent a repeating pattern of traveling energy, such as light or sound. Their
distinctive formations play an important role in distinguishing one type of energy from another.

The distance between repetitions in the waves indicates a type of wavelength on the
electromagnetic radiation spectrum, which includes radio waves in the audio range and waves in
the visible light range.

PERIOD - A time period (denoted by 'T' ) is the time taken for one complete cycle of vibration
to pass a given point. As the frequency of a wave increases, the time period of the wave
decreases. The unit for time period is 'seconds'. Frequency and time period are in a reciprocal
relationship that can be expressed mathematically as: T = 1/f or as: f = 1/T.

• Orbital period is the time for something to go round (orbit) something else.
• The period of a pendulum is the time it takes from one side to the other and back.

FREQUENCY - Frequency is the speed of the vibration, and this determines the pitch of the
sound. It is only useful or meaningful for musical sounds, where there is a strongly regular
waveform. Frequency is measured as the number of wave cycles that occur in one second. The
unit of frequency measurement is Hertz (Hz for short).
VELOCITY - The velocity of sound is a vector u
whose magnitude |u| is the speed of sound u
and whose direction is normal to the surface of
constant phase. The speed of sound is a property
of the medium through which the sound travels
and is therefore usually of more interest than the
velocity itself which depends upon both u and
the manner in which the sound is generated.

AMPLITUDE - Amplitude is the fluctuation

or displacement of a wave from its mean
value. With sound waves, it is the extent
to which air particles are displaced, and
this amplitude of sound or sound
amplitude is experienced as the loudness
of sound. ... It means that maximum
amount the wave varies from the baseline
or equilibrium.
 PROPAGATION OF SOUND
Propagation of sound is the Transmission of Acoustic Energy through a medium via a sound
wave. Sound is a sequence of waves of pressure, which propagates through compressible media
such as air or water or solid. During their propagation, waves can be reflected, refracted, or
attenuated by the medium.

In air, sound is transmitted by pressure variations from its source to the surroundings. The sound
level decreases, as it gets further and further away from its source. While absorption by air is one
of the factors attributing to the weakening of a sound during transmission, distance plays a more
important role in noise reduction during transmission. The reduction of a sound is called
Attenuation. The effect of distance attenuation depends on the type of sound sources. Most
sounds or noises we encountered in our daily life are from sources, which can be characterized
as point or line sources. For a point source, the noise level decreases by 6dB per doubling of
distance from it. If the sound source produces cylindrical spreading of sound such as stream of
motor vehicles on a busy road at a distance, it may be considered as a line source. For a line
source, the noise level decreases by 3dB per doubling of distance from it.
All media have three properties, which affect the behavior of
PROPERTIES AFFECTING THE BEHAVIOUR OF SOUND PROPAGATION
sound propagation: A relationship between density and pressure:
All media have three properties, which affect
this relationship,
the behavior affected by temperature, determines the speed
of sound propagation:
of sound within the medium. The motion of the medium itself:
• A relationship between density and pressure:
e.g.
this winds,affected
relationship, Independent
by temperature,of the motion of sound through the
medium,
determines if the
the speed of medium
sound withinisthemoving, the sound is further
medium.
•transported.
The motion of theThe viscosity
medium itself: e.g.of the medium: this determines the
winds,
rate at which
Independent sound
of the motion is
of attenuated.
sound through For many media, such as air or
the
water,
medium,attenuation
if the medium isdue to viscosity
moving, the sound is negligible. A single segment
offurther
is a sound wave is characterized as pressure compressions and
transported.
• The viscosity of the medium: this determines
the rate at which sound is attenuated.rarefactions.
For many media, such as air or water,
attenuation due to viscosity is negligible. A
single
segment of a sound wave is characterized as
pressure compressions and rarefactions.
CHARACTERSTICS OF SOUND
The characteristics of musical sound are:
1. Pitch – Related to frequency of sound.
2. Loudness – Related to intensity of sound.
3. Timbre – Related to quality of sound.
PITCH
•It is a sensation that depends upon the frequency. Pitch helps in distinguishing between a note of
high frequency and low frequency of the same intensity produced by the same instrument. A shrill
sound is produced by a sound of high frequency.
•Thus, greater the frequency of a sound the higher is the pitch and vice versa. The pitch of sound
changes due to Doppler’s principle when either the source or the observer or both are in motion.
•The quality of a sound governed by the rate of vibrations producing it; the degree of highness or
lowness of a tone.
Pitch can be taken as the measure of sound frequency expressed in terms of hertz. Higher the
frequency, higher the pitch. All kinds of sound produces some waves that are measured with
respect to the frequency it carries.

LOUDNESS
•Loudness is a characteristic which is common to all sounds, whether classified as musical sound or
noise.
•Loudness is a degree of sensation produced on ear. Thus, loudness varies from one listener to
another. Loudness depends upon intensity and also upon the sensitiveness of the ear.
L α log10I
or L= Klog10I
•From this relation it is seen that loudness is directly proportional to the logarithm of intensity, and is
known as Weber-Fechner law.
TIMBRE
•It is the quality of sound which enables us to distinguish between two sounds having the same
loudness and pitch. It depends on the pressure of overtones.
•It helps us to distinguish between musical notes emitted by different musical instruments and
voices of different persons even though the sounds have the same pitch and loudness.

BEHAVIOUR OF SOUND IN AN ENCLOSURE

Shape, dimensions, construction, and contents of any room will determine how sound is
transmitted, reflected and absorbed. The way in which sound behaves in an enclosed space
depends on the following factors:
•Attenuation due to distance.
•Audience absorption of direct sound.
•Surface absorption of direct and reflected sound.
•Reflection from re-entrant angle - sound entering right-angled corner of room will be reflected
back towards source if surfaces are acoustically reflective. This can produce echoes in large spaces.
•Dispersion of modeled surface - reflections can be reduced by making one surface
•Dispersive i.E. Not at a right angle.
•Edge diffraction - edge diffraction results in the curvature of part of a sound wave around the edge
of a barrier.
•Sound shadow - any barrier interrupting a sound wave will create a shadow (light). However,
because of edge diffraction some sound will creep into this but such penetration is frequency
dependent - high frequencies are less diffracted than low frequencies. Such problems can occur in
auditorium with balconies.
•Primary reflection - angle of incidence = angle of reflection, plus nature of sound reflector is
important.
•Panel resonance - sound waves can propagate "through" a solid material by panel vibration. The
sound does not actually penetrate the material but rather causes this to vibrate and act as a sound
source itself. The panel will be vibrated by both direct and reflected sound waves.
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.
• On encountering barriers posed by the enclosure, sound waves are likely to behave in the following
ways:
◦ Reflection
◦ Absorption
◦ Refraction
◦ Diffusion
◦ Diffraction
◦ Transmission
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.

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.

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.
ECHO
Echo mainly produced due to the reflection of sound wave(mainly from the surface of walls, roofs,
ceilings etc.)
Echo is founded when the reflected sound reaches the ear at the same time when a direct sound
reaches. Echo causes disturbance and unpleasant hearing.

In audio signal processing and acoustics, echo is a reflection

of sound that arrives at the listener with a delay after the
direct sound. The delay is directly proportional to the
distance of the reflecting surface from the source and the
listener. Typical examples are the echo produced by the
bottom of a well, by a building, or by the walls of an
enclosed room and an empty room. A true echo is a single
reflection of the sound source
REVERBERATION
Reverberation Is the time interval with in which , the intensity of sound produced or reverberation
is the multiple reflection in an enclosed space .
The sound persists even when the source of sound has ceased or stopped.
1..Depends on the size of room as if room is small reflections will taken place quickly as waves have to
travel less distance, so time will be less.
2.Reverberant sound is the reflected sound , as a result of improper absorption.
3.Reverberation may results in confusion with the sound created next.

SOUND ABSORPTION
• The property of surface by which sound energy (kinetic energy) is converted into other form of
energy, generally heat energy (due to friction) and get absorbed.
• The degree to which this surface affects the absorption of sound is known as absorption
coefficient.
• There is no royal road for making a particular room acoustically good. It mainly depends on the
ideas of the engineer or the Architect. Each case is to be studied separately and after proper
thinking and calculations, suitable materials may be specified.

REQUIREMENTS OF A GOOD SOUND ABSORBENT:

It should be
• Durable,
• Vermin-proof,
• Efficient over wide range of frequencies,
• Fire-resistant,
• Non- Hygroscopic and heat insulating,
• Self- supporting and Easly fixable,
• Pleasing in appearance,
• High coefficient of absorption,
• Sufficient structural strength.
TYPES OF SOUND ABSORBING MATERIALS
According to their physical composition,
• POROUS MATERIALS
• NON- PERFORATED OR MEMBRANE ABSORBERS.
• CAVITY OR HELMHOLTZ RESONATERS

POROUS MATERIALS
• Basic acoustical characteristic of all porous materials is a cellular network of minute interlocking
pores.They convert the incident sound energy into heat energy by the frictional and viscous
resistance within these pores and by vibration of their small fibres. Good for high frequency range.
• Fibreboards, mineral wools, insulation blankets, etc. are some of the examples

NON PERFORATED PANELS & MEMBRANE ABSORBERS

• Any impervious material, installed on a solid backing but separated from it by an air space,will
be set to vibration when struck by sound waves. Good for low frequency range.
• Wood and hardboard panelling, gypsum boards, suspended plaster ceilings, furred out plasters,
rigid plastic boards, windows, glazing, doors, wood floors and plat-forms, etc

Gypsum Boards

Glass Wool

CAVITY OR HELMHOLTZ RESONATERS

• They consist of an enclosed body of
air confined within rigid walls and
connected by a narrow opening(called
the neck) with the surrounding space
in which the sound waves travel.
• Cavity resonators can be applied
1. As individual units
2. As perforated panel resonators
3. As slit resonator panels.
TYPES OF SOUND ABSORBING MATERIALS
According to their trade name and availability in market,
• HAIRFELT,
• ACOUSTIC PLASTER,
• ACOUSTICAL TILES,
• STRAWBOARD,
• PULP BOARDS,
• COMPRESSED FIBREBOARDS,
• COMPRESSED WOOD PARTICLE BOARDS,
• PERFORATED PLYWOOD,
• WOOD WOOL BOARD,
• QUILTS AND MATS.

HAIRFELT:
• The material was used by prof. Sabin in his experimental works, made up of wool anf fur.
• The average value of coefficient of absorption of 25mm thick hairfelt is 0.60.
• It is used at rooms and halls.

ACOUSTIC PLASTER
• Also known as the fibrous plaster and it includes granulated insulation insulation material
mixed with cement.
• The average value of coefficient of absorption of 20mm thick and density of 1kN/m3 acoustic
plaster is 0.30 at 500 cps.
• For acoustical plaster boards- 0.15-0.30
Glass Wool

ACOUSTICAL TILES
• They are factory made, uniform sound absorbers, easily fixable but expensive.
• Most suitable for rooms in which small area is available for the acoustical treatment.

STRAWBOARD
• Prepared from compressed straw and covered with thick paper or hardboard are used.
• The average value of coefficient of absorption of 13mm thick and density of 12.4kN/m3 is 0.3
at 500 cps.
• It is used at rooms and medium capacity halls.
PULPBOARDS
• These are the softboards prepared from compressed pulps.
• The average value of coefficient of absorption of 13mm thick, is 0.17 at 500 cps.
• They are cheap and can be fixed by ordinary panelling.

COMPRESSED FIBREBOARD
• Made up of compressed fibre, may be perforated or unperforated.
• The average value of coefficient of absorption of perforated one with the density of 3kN/m3 is
0.30 and of other one is 0.52.

COMPRESSED WOOD PARTICLE BOARD

• Prepared from compressed wood and provided with perforations and it can be painted also.
• The average value of coefficient of absorption of 13mm thick is 0.40 at 500 cps.

PERFORATED PLYWOOD
• Can be used by forming composite panels with mineral wool and cement asbestos or with
mineral wool and hardboard.
• Generally suspended from trusses.
• The average value of coefficient of absorption for the former one is as high as 0.95 and for the
latter one, it is about 0.20.
WOOD WOOL BOARD
• Prepared from a mixture of portland cement and wood wool or wood shavings. A small quantity
of Gypsum is sometimes added.
Glassof Wool
• The average value of coefficient of absorption 25mm thick and density of 4kN/m3 is 0.20 at
500 cps.

QUILTS AND MATS

• Prepared from mineral wool or glass wool and are fixed in the form of acoustic blankets
•The absorption coefficients of such quilts and mats depend on the tickness, density, perforations,
mode of fixing, nature of backing and frequency of sound.