Predicting reverberation times in a simulated classroom

By varying the sound-absorption treatments in a simulated classroom, experimental results were compared with analytical and computer predictions of reverberation time. Analytical predictions were made with different absorption exponents, which are the result of different weighting procedures involving room surface areas and the sound-absorption coefficients. Sound scattering was found to influence measured reverberation times. With the amount of sound scattering provided, more accurate analytical predictions were obtained with absorption exponents that give reverberation times longer than those obtained with the Sabine absorption exponent, which consistently underpredicted reverberation times. However, none of the absorption exponents could be singled out as more adequate because of similar average accuracy. Computer predictions of reverberation time were accomplished with two commercially available ray-based programs, RAYNOISE 3.0 and ODEON 2.6, with specular and calibrated diffuse reflection procedures. Neither type of procedure, in either program, was more accurate than the best analytical predictions. With RAYNOISE, neither the specular nor the calibrated diffuse reflection procedure could be singled out as more adequate. For ODEON, the calibrated diffuse reflection procedure gave consistently more accurate predictions than its specular reflection procedure, with the best accuracy of the computer predictions.     

Comparison between measured and calculated parameters for the acoustical characterization of small classrooms

This paper presents a comparison between measured and calculated acoustical parameters in eight high school classrooms. The mid frequency unoccupied and occupied reverberation times and the 1 kHz sound propagation (SP) of the reverberant and total speech levels in occupied classrooms were compared with analytical and numerical predictions. The ODEON 6.5 code and the Sabine formula gave the most accurate results for reverberation time in the empty classrooms with overall relative differences of 8.1% and 9.7%, respectively. With students present, the Eyring and Sabine formulas and Hodgson’s empirical model resulted to be the most accurate with relative differences of 11.1%, 13.2% and 13.6%, respectively. The reverberant speech levels decrease with increasing distance from the source at rates varying from −1.21 to −2.62 dB/distance doubling, and the Hodgson model fits the slope values quite well. The best predictions of the SP of the reverberant and total speech levels are shown, in order of accuracy, for the ODEON code, the Barron and Lee theory and the classical diffuse field theory. Lower rms errors were found when the measured total acoustic absorptions were used. The lowest rms error of 1.4 dB for the SP of the total speech level were found for both the ODEON code and the Barron and Lee theory.     

Experimental evaluation of radiosity for room sound-field prediction

An acoustical radiosity model was evaluated for how it performs in predicting real room sound fields. This was done by comparing radiosity predictions with experimental results for three existing rooms--a squash court, a classroom, and an office. Radiosity predictions were also compared with those by ray tracing--a "reference" prediction model--for both specular and diffuse surface reflection. Comparisons were made for detailed and discretized echograms, sound-decay curves, sound-propagation curves, and the variations with frequency of four room-acoustical parameters--EDT, RT, D50, and C80. In general, radiosity and diffuse ray tracing gave very similar predictions. Predictions by specular ray tracing were often very different. Radiosity agreed well with experiment in some cases, less well in others. Definitive conclusions regarding the accuracy with which the rooms were modeled, or the accuracy of the radiosity approach, were difficult to draw. The results suggest that radiosity predicts room sound fields with some accuracy, at least as well as diffuse ray tracing and, in general, better than specular ray tracing. The predictions of detailed echograms are less accurate, those of derived room-acoustical parameters more accurate. The results underline the need to develop experimental methods for accurately characterizing the absorptive and reflective characteristics of room surfaces, possible including phase.     

Fast estimation of speech transmission index using the reverberation time

The paper presents the function of STI in the domain of reverberation time. Through the application of the said function, we can quickly estimate the speech transmission index, knowing only the time of room reverberation. For that purpose we applied a known method which consists in physical estimation of speech intelligibility basing on the modulation transfer function (MTF) determined in a room. Then, the STI was described using a logarithmic function whereof argument was the room reverberation time. To verify the model, reverberation times of six rooms were measured. The selected rooms were very different deliberately. They had different cubature and shape. The selection included a small cuboid, lecture halls and a church. Then, the same rooms were modeled in the ODEON version 11.23 and their reverberation times were determined. Furthermore, the STI was determined in the ODEON and then compared with the reverberation time obtained in effect of fast estimation. The statistical verification with the use of correlation index and regression equation has demonstrated that the fast estimation yields results close to those obtained in the computer simulation in ODEON. We obtained the correlation index at the level close to 1. Furthermore, the test probability at the level lower than 0.05 bespeaks of a statistically significant linear relation for the confidence level of 95%.     

Accuracy of speech transmission index predictions based on the reverberation time and signal-to-noise ratio

This paper examines the accuracy of the speech transmission index (STI) calculated from the reverberation time (T) and signal-to-noise ratio (L_SN) of enclosed spaces. Differences between measured and predicted STIs have been analysed in two rooms (reverberant vs. absorbent), for a wide range of absorption conditions and signal-to-noise ratios (sixteen tests). The STI was measured using maximum length sequence analysis and predictions were calculated using either measured or predicted values of T and L_SN, the latter assuming diffuse sound field conditions. The results obtained for all the conditions tested showed that STI predictions based on T and L_SN tend to underestimate the STI, with differences between measured and predicted STIs always lower than 0.1 (on a 0.0–1.0 scale), and on average lower than 0.06. According to previous research, these differences are noticeable and therefore non-negligible, as 0.03 is the just noticeable difference in STI. The use of either measured or predicted values of T and L_SN provided similar STI predictions (i.e. non-noticeable changes), with differences between predictions that are on average lower than 0.03 for the absorbent room, and lower than 0.01 for the reverberant room.     

Ray-tracing prediction of optimal conditions for speech in realistic classrooms

Recent papers have discussed the optimal reverberation times in classrooms for speech intelligibility, based on the assumption of a diffuse sound field. Here this question was investigated for more ‘typical’ classrooms with non-diffuse sound fields. A ray-tracing model was modified to predict speech-intelligibility metric U₅₀. It was used to predict U₅₀ in various classroom configurations for various values of the room absorption, allowing the optimal absorption (that predicting the highest U₅₀)—and the corresponding optimal reverberation time—to be identified in each case. The range of absorptions and reverberation times corresponding to high speech intelligibility were also predicted in each case. Optimal reverberation times were also predicted from the optimal surface-absorption coefficients using Sabine and Eyring versions of diffuse-field theory, and using the diffuse-field expression of Hodgson and Nosal. In order to validate the ray-tracing model, predictions were made for three classrooms with highly diffuse sound fields; these were compared to values obtained by the diffuse-field models, with good agreement. The methods were then applied to three ‘typical’ classrooms with non-diffuse fields. Optimal reverberation times increased with room volume and noise level to over 1 s. The accuracy of the Hodgson and Nosal expression varied with classroom size and noise level. The optimal average surface-absorption coefficients varied from 0.19 to 0.83 in the different classroom configurations tested. High speech intelligibility was, in general, predicted for a wide range of coefficients, but could not be obtained in a large, noisy classroom.     

Reverberation time and maximum background-noise level for classrooms from a comparative study of speech intelligibility metrics

Speech intelligibility metrics that take into account sound reflections in the room and the background noise have been compared, assuming diffuse sound field. Under this assumption, sound decays exponentially with a decay constant inversely proportional to reverberation time. Analytical formulas were obtained for each speech intelligibility metric providing a common basis for comparison. These formulas were applied to three sizes of rectangular classrooms. The sound source was the human voice without amplification, and background noise was taken into account by a noise-to-signal ratio. Correlations between the metrics and speech intelligibility are presented and applied to the classrooms under study. Relationships between some speech intelligibility metrics were also established. For each noise-to-signal ratio, the value of each speech intelligibility metric is maximized for a specific reverberation time. For quiet classrooms, the reverberation time that maximizes these speech intelligibility metrics is between 0.1 and 0.3 s. Speech intelligibility of 100% is possible with reverberation times up to 0.4-0.5 s and this is the recommended range. The study suggests "ideal" and "acceptable" maximum background-noise level for classrooms of 25 and 20 dB, respectively, below the voice level at 1 m in front of the talker.     

Prediction of reverberation time and speech transmission index in long enclosures

It is known that the sound field in a long space is not diffuse, and that the classic theory of room acoustics is not applicable. A theoretical model is developed for the prediction of reverberation time and speech transmission index in rectangular long enclosures, such as corridors and train stations, where the acoustic quality is important for speech. The model is based on an image-source method, and both acoustically hard and impedance boundaries are investigated. An approximate analytical solution is used to predict the frequency response of the sound field. The reverberation time is determined from the decay curve which is computed by a reverse-time integration of the squared impulse response. The angle-dependence of reflection coefficients of the boundaries and the change of phase upon reflection are incorporated in this model. Due to the relatively long distance of sound propagation, the effect of atmospheric absorption is also considered. Measurements of reverberation time and speech transmission index taken from a real tunnel, a corridor, and a model tunnel are presented. The theoretical predictions are found to agree well with the experimental data. An application of the proposed model has been suggested.     

Model of bidirectional reflectance distribution function for metallic materials

Based on the three-component assumption that the reflection is divided into specular reflection,directional diffuse reflection,and ideal diffuse reflection,a bidirectional reflectance distribution function(BRDF) model of metallic materials is presented.Compared with the two-component assumption that the reflection is composed of specular reflection and diffuse reflection,the three-component assumption divides the diffuse reflection into directional diffuse and ideal diffuse reflection.This model effectively resolves the problem that constant diffuse reflection leads to considerable error for metallic materials.Simulation and measurement results validate that this three-component BRDF model can improve the modeling accuracy significantly and describe the reflection properties in the hemisphere space precisely for the metallic materials.     

Verbal communication and noise in eating establishments

A new simple prediction model has been derived for the average A-weighted noise level due to many people speaking in a room with assumed diffuse sound field. Due to the feed-back influence of noise on the speech level (the Lombard effect), the speech level increases in noisy environments, and the suggested prediction model gives a 6 dB reduction of the noise level by doubling the equivalent absorption area of the room. This is in contrast to the lowering by 3 dB by doubling of the absorption area for a constant power sound source. The prediction model is verified by experimental data found in the literature. In order to achieve acceptable conditions for speech communication within a small group of people, a guide for the recommended minimum absorption area per person in eating establishments is provided.     

The effects of speech intelligibility and temporal–spectral variability on performance and annoyance ratings

Ambient sound can impair verbal short-term memory performance. This finding is relevant to the acoustic optimization of open-plan offices. Two algorithmic approaches claim to model the impairment during a given sound condition. One model is based on the Speech Transmission Index (STI). The other approach relies on the hearing sensation fluctuation strength (F). Within the scope of our consulting activities the approach based on F can hardly be applied and the model based on the STI is often misinterpreted in terms of semanticity. Therefore we put to test the two models and elucidate the relevance of temporal–spectral variability and semanticity of background sound with regard to impairment of performance. A group of 24 subjects performed a short-term memory task and rated perceived annoyance during eight different speech and speech-like noise conditions, which varied with regard to STI and F. The empirical data is compared to the model predictions, which only partly cover the experimental results. Speech impairs performance more than all other sound conditions and variable speech-like noise is more impairing than continuous speech-like noise. Sound masking with continuous speech-like noise provides relief from the negative effect of background speech. This positive effect is more pronounced if the signal to noise ratio is −3 dB(A) or even lower.     

Effect of reflecting modes on combined heat transfer within an anisotropic scattering slab

Under various interface reflecting modes, different transient thermal responses will occur in the media. Combined radiative-conductive heat transfer is investigated within a participating, anisotropic scattering gray planar slab. The two interfaces of the slab are considered to be diffuse and semitransparent. Using the ray tracing method, an anisotropic scattering radiative transfer model for diffuse reflection at boundaries is set up, and with the help of direct radiative transfer coefficients, corresponding radiative transfer coefficients (RTCs) are deduced. RTCs are used to calculate the radiative source term in energy equation. Transient energy equation is solved by the full implicit control-volume method under the external radiative-convective boundary conditions. The influences of two reflecting modes including both specular reflection and diffuse reflection on transient temperature fields and steady heat flux are examined. According to numerical results obtained in this paper, it is found that there exits great difference in thermal behavior between slabs with diffuse interfaces and that with specular interfaces for slabs with big refractive index.     

Effects of diffuse and specular reflections on the perceived age of facial skin

Age perception is a better biomarker of skin aging than chronological age. However, the optical cues that determine the perception of human skin age are difficult to assess given the complex interactions between light and the multi layered structure of the skin. The aim of the present study is to clarify the independent contribution of both diffuse and specular reflection components to the skin age perception. First, according to our results, subjects were able to estimate the age of skin only by using the diffuse reflection component. Moreover, we showed that inclusion of the specular reflection component added on average 5 years to their age estimation. Second, by artificially manipulating the specular component, we concluded that the luminance distribution affects the perceived age of the skin.     

The prediction of sound fields inside non-diffuse spaces: Transmission loss considerations

The prediction of sound levels inside internally complex enclosures is extended to include transmission through walls. The sound field is estimated from the spatial variation of phonon density which is calculated by using a random walk technique. This statistical geometrical method also includes consideration of air attenuation and specular reflection of sound from walls whose individual random incidence absorption coefficients are individually known. Solutions agree with experimental results obtained in models, to within, on average, 4 dB.     

ODEON仿真与实际测量语言传输指数实验对比

近年来音质仿真技术的快速发展为语言传输指数STI的预测提供了一个潜在的解决方案。但这种方法的有效性如何,则是在使用该技术之前应该考虑的问题。本文对3个房间内音质仿真与实际测量STI进行实验对比,研究表明:在仿真模型与实际空间的声学等效较为准确的情况下,使用音质仿真软件ODEON计算得到的STI误差较小;混响时间的变化在背景噪声较高时可能会对仿真STI的准确性带来显著影响,随着混响时间的增加,仿真与实际测量STI的差值可能变大;信噪比的变化并不会给仿真STI的准确性带来显著影响;仿真脉冲响应与实际测量脉冲响应的频谱有一定差别,时域上的反射声序列也不相同,但这些差别对仿真STI的影响并不大;仿真过程中比较容易产生的信噪比误差对仿真STI产生了较大影响。由于影响音质仿真结果的因素较多,仿真模型与实际空间的声学等效也比较复杂,尤其是对于没有实际参照校准的房间来说,想要获得准确的STI预测结果是比较困难的。     

Effects of unattended speech on performance and subjective distraction: The role of acoustic design in open-plan offices

Unattended background speech is a known source of cognitive and subjective distraction in open-plan offices. This study investigated whether the deleterious effects of background speech can be affected by room acoustic design that decreases speech intelligibility, as measured by the Speech Transmission Index (STI). The experiment was conducted in an open-plan office laboratory (84 m²) in which four acoustic conditions were physically built. Three conditions contained background speech. A quiet condition was included for comparison. The speech conditions differed in terms of the degree of absorption, screen height, desk isolation, and the level of masking sound. The speech sounds simulated an environment where phone conversations are heard from different locations varying in distance. Ninety-eight volunteers were tested. The presence of background speech had detrimental effects on the subjective perceptions of noise effects and on cognitive performance in short-term memory and working memory tasks. These effects were not attenuated nor amplified within a three-hour working period. The reduction of the STI by room acoustic means decreased subjective disturbance, whereas the effects on cognitive performance were somewhat smaller than expected. The effects of room acoustic design on subjective distraction were stronger among noise-sensitive subjects, suggesting that they benefited more from acoustic improvements than non-sensitive subjects. The results imply that reducing the STI is beneficial for performance and acoustic satisfaction especially regarding speech coming from more distant desks. However, acoustic design does not sufficiently decrease the distraction caused by speech from adjacent desks.     

The use of laser ligth in the study of metal surfaces

Optical methods are available for evaluating the surface finish of metals. This paper covers measurements of the specular and diffuse reflection from ground and lapped surfaces using helium-neon laser light. The specular reflection gives information on the probability distribution of roughness height, while the diffuse reflection depends on the roughness slope distribution.     

Relationship between listening difficulty and acoustical objective measures in reverberant sound fields

The previous work [Morimoto et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 116, 1607-1613] showed that listening difficulty ratings can be used to evaluate speech transmission performance more exactly and sensitively than intelligibility. Meanwhile, speech transmission performance is usually evaluated using acoustical objective measures, which are directly associated with physical parameters of room acoustic design. However, the relationship between listening difficulty ratings and acoustical objective measures was not minutely investigated. In the present study, a total of 96 impulse responses were used to investigate the relationship between listening difficulty ratings and several objective measures in unidirectional sound fields. The result of the listening test showed that (1) the correlation between listening difficulty ratings and speech transmission index (STI) is the strongest of all tested objective measures, and (2) A-weighted D(50), C(50), and center time, which are obtained from the impulse responses passed through an A-weighted filter, also strongly correlate with listening difficulty ratings, and their correlations with listening difficulty ratings are not statistically different from the correlation between listening difficulty ratings and STI.     

A scale model investigation of sound reflection from building façades

A simple model for predicting the sound reflected from a building façade is developed based upon the assumption that the scattering coefficient is small. This model is then used as the basis of an experimental attempt to measure the scattering properties of scale model façades featuring a similar degree of surface irregularity to that found on real buildings. A series of measurements made on a simple scale model are described and the effect of a non-uniform distribution of façade scattering is examined. The measured value of the scattering coefficient is found to be small and not very sensitive to the degree of surface irregularity. A progression of energy from a specular reflection field to a diffuse reflection field for successive orders of reflections is observed. It is suggested that the dominant mechanism of sound propagation for higher order reflections is via random scattering and that the development of propagation models based upon purely random scattering is a valid approach.     

ODEON建模精细程度与散射系数取值相关性研究

当使用音质仿真软件ODEON进行模拟时,建模精细程度对一些音质参量的影响较大,与散射系数取值的关系也非常复杂。本文在对比ODEON9.0与以前版本模拟算法区别的基础上,使用不同精细程度的模型以及不同散射系数对多个代表性厅堂进行模拟计算分析,验证了合适精细程度的模型可以获得可靠模拟结果的结论,并探讨了模型精细程度对混响时间T₃₀、声能比C₈₀的影响以及与散射系数取值的关系。