Contribution
Modifying a Wall Transmission Suite to Measure Diffuse Field Sound Absorption Coefficients – A Case Study
* Presenting author
Abstract:
The determination of the diffuse field sound absorption coefficient is carried out in reverberation chambers that comply with the requirements of the corresponding standard, ISO 354. No such chamber exists at OTH Regensburg University of Applied Sciences, but a new wall transmission suite according to ISO 10140 is available. This student project investigates the possibility of using the wall transmission suite to measure absorption coefficients for teaching and research purposes.To assess the suitability of the room, the diffusivity was evaluated using the standard deviation of both the reverberation times and the equivalent continuous sound pressure levels at multiple positions within the room. These results, along with a comparison with expected values for a diffuse sound field, guided the design of reflector panels to introduce diffuse reflections. The implementation features acrylic (PMMA) as the primary material in combination with dense viscoelastic damping sheets, resulting in a low vibration solution. Suspended from the ceiling of the chamber, these improved the diffusivity of the sound field, making the room suitable for absorption measurements across a broad frequency range.