CHAPTER IV DESIGN PROCEDURE AND CALCULATIONS

For every design, there corresponds the appropriate calculation needed to arrive at the desired output. For the design of an Acoustically Treated Amphitheater, it is important to calculate for the area of every part of the room and the volume. The area and the volume, together with the absorption coefficient of everything that makes up the room will later be used to find the reverberation time of the sound.

DESIGN PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS: Amphitheater: The Amphitheater functions for video and audio reports and speeches. To provide a favorable acoustical environment, one must address both the need to hear and understand speech, and the desire to have a pleasant space for music. A good acoustical design always requires the consideration of the following areas: y y y y Related Codes and Standards Noise Criteria Sound Transmission Class Reverberation Time In designing amphitheater, there are tips, standards and considerations to be followed. Some of them are: 1. Recommend reverberation time is 1.5-2.5 seconds. 2. Although the seating area will provide absorption, thereby reducing the reverberation time, you will most likely need to add absorption materials to the other surfaces within the space. 3. It is vital to control the reflections from the back wall. If you dont control them, the presentation could reflect off the back wall and slap back to the presenters. This wont necessarily impact the audience, but could be

disastrous and distracting for the people on stage. Because of this, its usually necessary to treat the back wall with an absorptive material. A concave back wall could compound this problem. If you cant avoid a concave back wall, its imperative that it be treated with absorptive material. 4. Remember the space will be less absorptive when only half full, since the audience itself is absorptive. By using absorptive seating areas, the reverberation time will remain more consistent regardless of the audience size. 5. Noise from lobby area can be disruptive. Be sure openings such as doorways are properly sealed. Consider a vestibule door system.

DESIGN CALCULATION:

REVERBERATION TIME RT60 measures the reverberance within a room. RT60 is soon to be adopted under ADA for classroom acoustic criteria. Reverberation time is the time required, in seconds, for the average sound pressure level in a room to decrease 60 decibels after a source stops generating sound. This test is standard on certain projects, such as THX movie theaters and various government buildings. Normally, in the design phase, you must demonstrate (through calculations) that a space will achieve the stipulated reverberation time. Oftentimes, measurements are required to verify results. Because RT60 is void of variables, unlike many other tests, it is straightforward and clear-cut. But RT60 does not account for problematic and potentially annoying reflections. Oftentimes, there is still a need for expert analysis. Reverberation time is the function of volume, area and absorption coefficient of the surface areas. To obtain this, the total area, total volume and total absorption coefficient of the rooms were computed.

The reverberation time and absorptions of the audio visual room are shown below:

Amphitheater: Ray Diagram:

A B

A. (9.493m + 8.844m) 17.097m = 1.24m B. (4.887m + 3.753m) 3.663m = 4.977m

Computations: Solving for the areas (refer to the layout)

Area of the top: Areastage(top) = (h/2)(b1 + b2) + (l x w) = (7.0m/2)(8.563m + 12.938m) + (8.0m x 1.0m) Areastage(top) = 83.2535m2

Area of the face: Areastage(face) = (Arectangular face) + 2(Aface of the stairs + Aface front side) = (8.0m x 1.0m) + 2{[(0.31m x 0.8m) + (0.31m x 0.6m) + (0.31m x 0.4m) + (0.31m x 0.2m)] + [(2.469m x 1.0m) (0.31m x 0.8m) - (0.31m x 0.6m) - (0.31m x 0.4m) - (0.31m x 0.2m)]} Areastage(face) = 12.938m2 Area of the stairs: Areastage(stairs) = 8(Atop step) + 10(Aelevation step) = 8(1.0m x 0.31m) + 10(0.2m x 1.0m) Areastage(stairs) = 4.48m2 Total Area of the Stage:

AT (stage) = Areastage(top) + Areastage(face) + Areastage(stairs) = 83.2535m2 + 12.938m2 + 4.48m2 AT (stage) = 100.6715m2

Afloor(elevation) = (thickness x length) +[ (h/2)(b1 + b2)]steps 1-20 = (0.15m x 14.5m) + [(0.8m/2)(14.5m + 15.0m)] + (0.15m x 15.0m) + [(0.8m/2)(15.0m + 15.5m)] + (0.15m x 15.5m) + [(0.8m/2)(15.5m + 16.0m)] + (0.15m x 16.0m) + [(0.8m/2)(16.0m + 16.5m)] + (0.15m x 16.5m) + [(0.8m/2)(16.5m + 17.0m)] + (0.15m x 17.0m) + (0.8m/2)(17.0m + 17.5m)] + (0.15m x 17.5m) + [(0.8m/2)(17.5m + 18.0m)] + (0.15m x 18.0m) + [(0.8m/2)(18.0m + 18.5m)] + (0.15m x 18.5m) + [(0.8m/2)(18.5m + 19.0m)] + (0.15m x 19.0m) + [(0.8m/2)(19.0m + 19.5m)] +

(0.15m x 19.5m) + [(0.8m/2)(19.5m + 20.0m)] + (0.15m x 20.0m) + [(0.8m/2)(20.0m + 20.5m)] + (0.15m x 20.5m) + [(0.8m/2)(20.5m + 21.0m)] + (0.15m x 21.0m) + [(0.8m/2)(21.0m + 21.5m)] + (0.15m x 21.5m) + [(0.8m/2)(21.5m + 22.0m)] + (0.15m x 22.0m) + [(0.8m/2)(22.0m + 22.5m)] + (0.15m x 22.5m) + [(0.8m/2)(22.5m + 23.0m)] + (0.15m x 23.0m) + [(0.8m/2)(23.0m + 23.5m)] + (0.15m x 23.5m) + [(0.8m/2)(23.5m + 24.0m)] + (0.15m x 24.0m) + [(0.8m/2)(24.0m + 24.5m)] Afloor(elevation) = 369.75m2 Area of the front: Afloor (front) =(2.5m/2)(12.938m + 14.5m) (10.48m x 1.0m) = 23.8175m2

Area of the rear: Afloor (rear) =(1.5m/2)(19.25m + 24.5m) = 32.813m2

Total Area of the Floor AT (floor) = Afloor (rear) + Afloor (elevation) + Afloor (front) = 32.813m2 + 369.75 + 23.8175m2 AT (floor) = 426.3805m2

Adoor = l x w = 2(1.0m x 2.0m) = 4m2

A1 = [2(1.676m) x 5.2m] (0.838m x 0.45m) (0.838m x 0.3m) (0.838m x 0.15m) A1 = 16.6762m2

A2-8 = 7[(1.676m x 5.2m) (0.15m x 0.838m)] A2-8 = 60.1265m2

A9 = (0.314m x 0.3m) + (5.06m x 1.676m) + (0.838m x 0.15m) A9 = 8.65336 m2

A10 = (9.953m x 5.65m) (8m x 1m) 2(2m x 1m) A10 = 44.2345m2

Area of the rear: AWall (rear) = Arear wall + Atwo slanted side Atwo doors Acontrol room window = (19.25m x 4.6m) + 2(3.023m x 4.6m) 2(2.5m x 2.0m) (0.5m x 2.0m) = 105.3616 m2

Afront wall = 8.563m x 4.650m Afront wall = 39.81795m2 Total Area of the Wall:

AT (wall) = A1 + A2-8 + A9 + A10 + Awall rear + Afront wall = {(16.6762m2 + 60.1265 m2 + 8.65336 m2 + 44.2345 m2 ) X 2} + 105.3616 m2 + 39.81795 m2 AT (wall) = 404.5607m2

Aceiling (rear) = (3.21m/2)(22.5m + 24.5m) + (1.4993m/2)(19.25m + 24.5m) = 108.2322m2

Aceiling (elevation) =(1.3m/2)(15.5m + 14.688m) + (0.425m/2)(14.5m + 14.688m) + [(0.3m x 15.5m) + (1.5997m/2)(15.5m + 16.5m)] + [(0.3m x 16.5m) + (1.5997m/2)(16.5m + 17.5m)] + [(0.3m x 17.5m) + (1.5997m/2)(17.5m + 18.5m)] + [(0.3m x 18.5m) + (1.5997m/2)(18.5m + 19.5m)] + [(0.3m x 19.5m) + (1.5997m/2)(19.5m + 20.5m)] + [(0.3m x 20.5m) + (1.5997m/2)(20.5m + 21.5m)] + [(0.3m x 21.5m) + (1.5997m/2)(21.5m + 22.5m)] + (0.3m x 22.5m) = 284.18475m2

Aceiling (front) = (9.5m/2)(14.5m + 8.563m) Aceiling (front) = 109.5493m2 Total area of the ceiling AT (ceiling) = Aceiling (rear) + Aceiling (elevation) + Aceiling (front)

=108.2322m2 + 284.18475 m2 + 109.5493m2 AT (ceiling) = 501.9663m2

Vwhole = [(25.5m/2)(24.5m + 8.563m) + (1.4993m/2)(24.5m + 19.25m)](8.35m) = 3793.8262m3 Vstage1 = (83.2535m2 x 1.0m) = 83.2535m3 V stairs= 2[(Astairs x 0.8m) + (Astairs x 0.6m) + (Astairs x 0.4m) + (Astairs x 0.2m)] + = 2[(0.31m2 x 0.8m) + (0.31 m2 x 0.6m) + (0.31 m2 x 0.4m) + (0.31 m2 x 0.2m)] V stairs = 1.24m3 VT(stage) = Vstage1 + Vstairs VT(stage) = 84.4935m3 Velevation(floor) = (0.15m x 11.8m2) + (0.3m x 12.2m2) + (0.45m x 12.6m2) + (0.6m x 13.0m2) + (0.75m x 13.4m2) + (0.9m x 13.8m2) + (1.05m x 14.2m2) + (1.2m x 14.6m2) + (1.35m x 15.0m2) + (1.5m x 15.4m2) + (1.65m x 15.8m2) +

(1.8m x 16.2m2) + (1.95m x 16.6m2) + (2.1m x 17.0m2) + (2.25m x 17.4m2) + (2.4m x 17.8m2) + (2.55m x 18.2m2) + (2.7m x 18.6m2) + (2.85m x 19m2) + (3.0m x 19.4m2) Velevation(floor) = 531.3m3 Vrear(floor) = 3.15m x 32.813m2 =103.361m3

VT(floor) = Velevation(floor) + Vrear(floor) = 634.661m3 VT(ceiling) = (2.7m x 109.5493m2) + (3.0m x 19.622m2) + (2.7m x 25.59m2) + (2.4m x 27.19m2) + (2.1m x 28.79m2) + (1.8m x 30.4m2) + (1.5m x 32.0m2) + (1.2m x 33.59m2) + (0.9m x 35.192m2) + (0.6m x 75.2m2) + (0.6m x 32.7972m2) VT(ceiling) = 788.95623m3 VT = Vwhole - VT(stage) - VT(floor) - VT(ceiling) = 3793.8262m3 84.4935m3 - 634.661m3 - 788.95623m3 VT = 2285.71547m3

REVERBERATION TIME A. Untreated

ABSORPTION BY THE MATERIALS USED

Absorption Item Materials Area, s (m )
2

Absorption at (sabins)

coefficient, 1 kHz

Stage floor

Concrete (unpainted)

100.6715

0.06

6.0403

Floor

Concrete (unpainted) Plasterboard (1/2 ) in suspended ceiling grid

426.3805

0.06

25.5823

Ceiling

501.9663

0.04

20.0787

Walls

Concrete (poured, rough finish, un painted)

404.5607

0.06

24.2736

Door Glass

Solid wood Glass ( plate, large pane)

18 1

0.04 0.03

0.72 0.03

Total absorption from above materials

76.7249

ABSORPTION BY THE CHAIRS AND AUDIENCE

Area, s (m ) 252 chairs, unoccupied 504 chairs, unoccupied 252 chairs, occupied 504 chairs, occupied 75.6 151.2 75.6 151.2

Absorption coefficient, at 1 kHz 0.07 0.07 0.76 0.76

Absorption (sabins) 5.292 10.584 57.456 114.912

Material: Theater seats, wood

TOTAL ABSORPTION BY THE CHAIRS AND AUDIENCE

 when the room has no audience: 10.584 sabins  when the room has half the audience: 5.292 + 57.456 = 62.748 sabins  when the room has full audience: 114.912 sabins

TOTAL ABSORPTION = total absorption from the materials used + total absorption by the chairs and audience

Total Absorption by the materials used

Total Absorption by the chairs and audience Total Absorption

When the room has no audience: When the room has half audience: When the room has full audience:

76.7249

10.584

87.3089

76.7249

62.748

139.4729

76.7249

114.912

191.6369

RT 60 !

0.161 V S

 


   

 


  




 


  

B. Treated

ABSORPTION BY THE MATERIALS USED

Absorption Item Materials Area, s (m2) coefficient, kHz Stage floor Parquet on concrete Floor Carpet 426.3805 0.15 63.9571 100.6715 0.06 6.0403 at 1 Absorption (sabins)

Ceiling

Plaster: smooth on brick

501.9663

0.03

15.059

Walls

Plaster: smooth on brick

404.5607

0.03

12.1368

Door Glass

Solid wood Glass ( plate, large pane)

18 1

0.04 0.03

0.72 0.03

Total absorption from above materials

97.9432

ABSORPTION BY THE CHAIRS AND AUDIENCE

Area, s (m2) 252 chairs, unoccupied 504 chairs, unoccupied 252 chairs, occupied 504 chairs, occupied 75.6 151.2 75.6 151.2

Absorption coefficient, at 1 kHz 0.88 0.88 0.96 0.96

Absorption (sabins) 66.528 133.056 72.576 145.152

Material: Fabric-upholstered seats

TOTAL ABSORPTION BY CHAIRS AND AUDIENCE  When the room has no audience: 133.056 sabins  When the room has half the audience: 66.528 + 72.576 = 139.104 sabins  When the room has full audience: 145.152 sabins

TOTAL ABSORPTION = total absorption from the materials used + total absorption by chairs and audience

Total Absorption by the materials used

Total Absorption by the chairs and audience Total Absorption

When the room has no audience: When the room has half audience: When the room has full audience:

97.9432

133.056

230.9992

97.9432

139.104

237.0472

97.9432

145.152

243.0952

RT

0.161 V 60 ! S

 


   

 


 

 


 

   

SUMMARY OF REVERBERATION TIME

Reverberation Time (seconds) UNTREATED: No audience Half audience Full audience 4.2149 2.6385 1.9203

TREATED:

No audience Half audience Full audience

1.5931 1.5524 1.5138

Conclusion

For an acceptable design of an amphitheater to be achieved, different parameters and standards are needed to be met and pursued. These are the reverberation time, the type of materials to be used, the invulnerability to noise, the adequate loudness and others. The design complies with the standard or accepted reverberation of a specific amphitheater. It promotes good quality of sound and music. The sound absorption of all the materials that were used in the design was properly identified. It can be well stated that good projection of sound and music necessary for the design was undoubtedly accomplished and achieved.