Academic year 2014-15
Architectural Acoustics
| Degree: | Code: | Type: |
| Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science | 22638 | Optional subject |
| Bachelor's Degree in Telematics Engineering | 22584 | Optional subject |
| Bachelor's Degree in Audiovisual Systems Engineering | 21609 | Compulsory subject, 2nd year |
| ECTS credits: | 4 | Workload: | 100 hours | Trimester: | 3rd |
| Department: | Dept. of Information and Communication Technologies |
| Coordinator: | Enric Guaus |
| Teaching staff: | Theory: Enric Guaus Measurements: Davide Scaini, Ángel Plata Seminars: Pablo Novillo |
| Language: | Theory: Catalan Measurements: Spanish Seminars: Spanish |
| Timetable: | |
| Building: | Communication campus - Poblenou |
Introduction
This course will provide the student with the basic principles of sound fields in rooms and its subjective effects. We will explain the interaction of sound with different materials, introducing the concepts of absoption and diffusion.
The course will introduce measurement techniques and parameters to characterise the acoustics of a room. In the measurement sessions, the students will get familiar with equipment and use standard techniques or acoustical measurements.
The course will provide notions of room acoustic design for different kind of rooms such as conference rooms, theatres, etc.
Prerequisites
The content of this course assumes that the students are familiar with the subject of the course "acoustic engineering", in particular the physical and mathematical foundations of sound waves and psycho-acoustics. Basic knowledge of calculus and simple numerical methods is also required.
It is therefore required that the student has attended courses in: Calculus and Numerical Methods, Linear Algebra and Maths, Waves and Electomagnetism, Acoustic Engineering.
Associated competences
|
Overall skills |
Specific skills |
|---|---|
|
Instrumental G1.Synthesis and analysis skills G2.Planning skills G3. Ability to apply knowledge base to analysing situations and solving problems Interpersonal G8.Ability to work in a team G10. Ability to take initiative and coordinate a group Systematic G11. Ability to flexibly apply the learned methods to new contexts and situations G12 Ability to autonomously and constantly make progress in learning processes G15 Ability to generate new ideas |
Basic Specific Skills B7 Fourier Transforms and basics of signal processing B9-A Learn the basics of sound propagation and its applications to audio processing Specific technical skills AU4. Learn audio processing techniques required for acoustic processing AU7 Develop theoretical and practical knowledge of acoustical measurement and playback equipment AU10 Understand the problems related to sound propagation in rooms and the design of such rooms
|
Assessment
The evaluation covers each of the three activities included in the course: theory, measurements and seminars. Being
T: the evaluation of theory by means of a written final exam (can be redone in July)
L: the evaluation of measurement sessions by delivery of reports (mandatory for the final evaluation, CANNOT be redone in July)
S: the evaluation of the Seminars by means of a written final exam (can be redone in July)
The final mark is obtained by the weighted average of the three parts as follows:
Final mark = 0,4 T+0,3 L+0,3 S
The final exam will take place at the end of the course and will include the topics of the whole course. This exam is mandatory and constitutes the evaluation of the Theory and Seminar parts.
The evaluation requires mandatory participation to measurement sessions. These cannot be redone.
Contents
Theory
- Foundations of sound and psycho-acoustics
- The sound field in enclosures (rooms)
- Soundproofing
- Design criteria of public spaces, conference rooms, lecture rooms
- Design criteria for theatres and music hall
- Introduction to room acoustic simulations
Seminars
- Operating principles and use of a sound level meter
- Measurement and analysis of room impulse responses
- Definition and calculation of room acoustic parameters
- Use of audio editing/analysis
Measurements
- Measurement of impulse responses and noise levels in two rooms
- Data analysis
- Generation of reports
Methodology
The theory classes will provide the student with the foundations underlying the subject. The student shall complement these classes with notes and additional material that will be provided.
The seminars and measurement sessions will provide hands-on experience where the theoretical aspects are applied in the "real world".
Activity table:
|
In-class activity |
Out-of-class activity |
Assessment activity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Topic |
Full group |
Medium group |
Small group | |||
|
Theory |
18h |
|
|
44h |
2h |
|
|
Measurements |
6h |
6h |
2h |
|||
|
Seminars |
|
10h |
|
10h |
2h |
|
|
Total: |
18h |
10h |
6h |
60h |
6h |
Total:100h |
Resources
Basic bibliography
- CARRIÓN, A. "Disseny acústic d'espais arquitectònics", Edicions UPC, 2a edició, 2006. ISBN 8483012529
- KUTRUFF, H. "Room Acoustics" fifth edition, Spon Press 2009, ISBN 0-203-87637-7
- ALTON EVEREST, F., "Master Handbook of Acoustics", McGraw-Hill. Fourth Edition, ISBN: 0 07 136097 2
Additional bibliography
- BALLOU, G. "Handbook for Sound Engineers", Focal Press, 3a edició, 2002. ISBN 0 240 80454 6
- Beranek, L. "Concert Halls and Opera Houses". Springer-Verlag New York, Inc Second Edition ISBN: 0 387 95524 0
- DAVIS, D. & PATRONIS, E. "Sound System Engineering". Focal Press. Third Edition ISBN 13: 978 0240 80830 7
- LONG, M. "Architectural Acoustics", Elsevier Academic Press, 2006. ISBN 0 12 455551 9
- KINSLER, L. "Fonaments d'acústica", Ed Limusa, 1a edició, 1988. ISBN 978 9 68 182026 8
- BARRON, M. "Auditorium ACOUSTICS and architectural design", I & FN Spon, 1993. ISBN 0 419 17710 8
- Recuero, M. "Acústica Arquitectònica Aplicada", Paranimf, 1999. ISBN 978 8 42 832571 4
Additional material:
- Slides from lectures will be available online