Prediction of industrial noise levels for new plants is currently very topical and
validation and acceptance of various modelling software packages is very important
for consultants.
This workshop will discuss/overview the state-of-the-art in terms of the various
packages that are available and particularly, those available in Australia.
It is hoped to have a "shoot-out' between two or three packages to see how the
results vary for a test scenario.
The usefulness and validity of the packages for prediction of blast and low
frequency noise impact will also be discussed.
The workshop will deal with the room acoustics of major spaces for music, speech and public use. It will not deal with sound insulation matters, or commercial or industrial buildings.
Session 1: Historical Introduction.
Brief survey of some significant buildings in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Europe.
- Early Halls
- Sabine & Boston Symphony
- 20th Century mistakes and disasters
- New Understandings (early energy / lateral energy)
- Late 20th Century Examples
Session 2: Room Acoustics Fundamentals
- Methods of understanding spaces (Wave, Geometrical, statistical)
- Absorption, reflection, diffraction.
- Audience absorption (lab/field).
Session 3: Psychoacoustics
- Some fundamental
- Subjective preference
- Audience versus performers requirement
Session 4: Design Processes/Requirements (design methods, criteria)
- Music - subjective preferences
- Speech
- Multi-purpose
- Musicians Requirements
- Background noise
Session 5: Design Tools
- Precedence
- RT analysis
- Ray tracing
- Computer methods (Odeon, CATT etc)
- Scale modelling (Midas)
Session 6: Measurements
- Impulse response
- Early energy
- Lateral energy
- Reverberation times
Session 7: Review of one or two flagship projects.