Reverberation Time Calculator Based On Absorption

Reverberation Time Equation:

\[ RT = \frac{0.161 \times V}{-S \times \ln(1 - \alpha)} \]

Reverberation Time (RT):

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1. What is Reverberation Time?

Reverberation Time (RT) is the time required for the sound pressure level in a room to decrease by 60 dB after the sound source has stopped. It's a key parameter in room acoustics that affects speech intelligibility and music quality.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Sabine equation for diffuse sound fields:

\[ RT = \frac{0.161 \times V}{-S \times \ln(1 - \alpha)} \]

Where:

\( RT \) — Reverberation time in seconds
\( V \) — Volume of the room in cubic meters (m³)
\( S \) — Total surface area of the room in square meters (m²)
\( \alpha \) — Average absorption coefficient (dimensionless, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The equation relates the room's physical characteristics to its acoustic properties, showing how materials and room size affect sound decay.

3. Importance of Reverberation Time

Details: Optimal reverberation time varies by room use - shorter for speech clarity (classrooms, conference rooms), longer for musical richness (concert halls). Proper RT improves acoustic comfort and functionality.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter room volume in m³, total surface area in m², and average absorption coefficient (between 0 and 1). Typical absorption coefficients: 0.01 for marble, 0.15 for wood, 0.30 for carpet, 0.70 for acoustic panels.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between Sabine and Eyring equations?
A: Sabine's equation is simpler but less accurate for highly absorptive rooms. Eyring's (used here) is better when absorption coefficients approach 1.

Q2: What are typical RT values for different spaces?
A: Speech rooms: 0.4-0.8s, Classrooms: 0.6-0.8s, Concert halls: 1.5-2.5s, Churches: 2-4s.

Q3: How does room shape affect RT?
A: Shape affects sound distribution but not RT directly. RT depends on volume and absorption.

Q4: Can I use this for outdoor spaces?
A: No, this equation is for enclosed spaces with diffuse sound fields.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate for rectangular rooms with uniform absorption. Complex geometries may require more advanced modeling.