CONTROL OF REVERBERATION TIMES IN DOME-

SHAPED HALLS

Dr Hani Obeid
SMIEEE, P.Eng.
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Applied Sciences University
Amman – Jordan

Abstract

This paper outlines the approach used in solving the acoustic problems in a dome-shaped hall with high
ceiling, which constitutes the main challenge in this work. The reverberation time RT of such a huge
volume without treatment is large and doesn’t comply with the requirements of obtaining low RT. A
computer simulation of the hall was done and a series of calculations were performed by program EASE
3.0 for various materials with different absorption coefficients in order to control the acoustical
environment within the hall and to obtain the required RT.

1. Introduction

The architectural shape of any construction plays a vital role in its acoustical performance. The basic
architectural shapes that are problematic are (in order of difficulty) domes, round rooms, rooms with
concave surfaces and cubical rooms. The problem with all of these shapes is their ability to focus reflected
sound. The geometry of each of these shapes causes focal points and lines to form in space where
reflections tend to arrive simultaneously. The simple solution is to destroy the acoustic symmetry of the
space while maintaining its visual symmetry. This is done by treating the surfaces with diffusive and
absorptive components [1]. This study was performed to solve acoustical problems in dome-shaped hall
designed for parliament meeting without affecting the architectural and aesthetic aspects of the hall.

2. Architectural features of the hall

The hall is constructed from reinforced concrete and has a tremendous volume (43674 m 3), height (40 m),
and dome-shaped ceiling. Since the hall is used mainly for speech, the goal is to obtain high speech
intelligibility besides other acoustical design consideration. The other acoustical goals are speech
naturalness and the lack of distortion or harshness [2]. The hall was simulated by using computer program
EASE 3.0. Fig.1 shows a three dimensional modeling and Fig. 2 shows a plan of the hall. Program EASE

Fig. 1 Three-dimensional modeling of the hall

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 Fig. 2 Plan of the hall

3.0 was used to calculate the reverberation time RT of the hall. It was found that the RT of the hall without
any treatment of the surfaces (ceiling and walls) is equal to 3.6 s at mid frequencies (500-1000) Hz (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3 Reverberation time of the hall without any treatment

This excessive RT will destroy the speech intelligibility, and it is due to echo, which is a potential problem
in concave shaped ceiling as in our case. The recommended RT for such halls is in the range of 0.6 to 1.3 s
[3], while the optimum RT is (0.7-0.9) s [1].

3. Treatment of the internal surface of the dome

The reflections from the internal ceiling surface can’t be used as a reinforcement of the sound because the
ceiling is very high and the reflections will be heard as echo. Therefore, in such cases, it is recommended to
treat the ceiling with absorptive material in order to prevent reflections from reaching the listeners and to
decrease the RT to accepted level. Different absorptive materials were used as a cladding to the ceiling of
the dome to explore the required one. Table 1 shows the absorption coefficients of these materials over the
frequency range (125-8000) Hz.

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 Table 1
Absorption coefficients over the frequency range (125-8000) Hz for different materials

Frequency, Hz
Material
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000
Concrete Block 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.07 0.08
Gibson boards 0.25 0.10 0.05 0.04 0.07 0.07 0.07
50% concrete and 50% fiber
0.20 0.20 0.22 0.40 0.38 0.38 0.38
glass
Acoustic spray 0.08 0.29 0.75 0.98 0.93 0.76 0.75
Perforated Gibson boards 0.45 0.70 0.70 0.65 0.75 0.80 -
Fiber glass 0.65 0.71 0.82 0.86 0.76 0.62 0.80
Roof fabric (12 oz/sq. yard)
Foam 50 mm thick 0.09 0.29 0.64 0.97 1.05 0.97 0.75
Sprayed cellulose fiber (75
0.70 0.95 1.0 0.85 0.85 0.90 -
mm) on solid baking

The reverberation times of the hall were calculated by EASE 3.0 for treated ceiling with different
absorptive materials and the results of the calculations are shown in table 2.

Table 2
Reverberation times of the hall for various materials

Frequency, Hz
Material
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000
Concrete block 8.4 6.92 3.88 3.23 3.03 2.32 1.28
Gibson boards 4.45 5.43 3.68 3.13 2.82 2.27 1.27
50% concrete and 50% fiber
4.95 4.36 2.80 1.96 1.92 1.65 1.05
glass
Acoustic spray 6.72 3.68 1.50 1.09 1.12 1.17 0.83
Perforated Gibson board 3.12 2.05 1.58 1.49 1.31 1.13 0.81
Fiber glass roof fabric (12
2.35 2.03 1.4 1.22 1.30 1.32 0.90
oz/sq. yard)
Foam 50 mm thick 6.53 3.68 1.68 1.1 1.05 0.98 0.73
Sprayed cellulose fiber
2.21 1.56 1.18 1.23 1.20 1.04 0.76
(75mm) on solid backing

The results of the calculations indicated that the sprayed cellulose fiber if implemented would be the right
absorptive material and the reverberation time of the hall as a result of ceiling treatment is equal to 1.2 s for
mid frequencies.

4. Architectural aspects of internal cladding

The right selected absorptive material constitutes the internal cladding of the dome, therefore, it must not
only maintain a high degree of sound absorption but must be incombustible, non-aging even at high
temperatures (no drizzling of fine matter after a few years), resistant against high temperatures and be
securely fixed. The other aspect is the material should be molded to obtain the required ornamentation
suggested by the interior designer.

Due to the high illumination load (1000 lux) in the hall much heat is generated by the lamps. This heat is
accumulating inside the dome with the result that the temperature in the dome will be very much high. High
temperature accelerates aging of material, especially organic material. It is therefore not advisable to work
with sprayed cellulose fiber on the exposed surfaces.

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Also a very reliable fixing of any material to the inside of the dome is of a great importance because any
item falling down from that high will seriously injure persons underneath it.

Several different construction were tested and verified and it was found that the most appropriate
construction to fulfill the stated requirements is to manufacture the internal claddings in the form of
cassettes. The best material to construct the cassette from is perforated aluminum surface backed up by
sound absorbing material. In particular, the cassette can be formed by an outer casing of perforated
aluminum sheets pressed in a form as required by the interior designer or architect. The finish of the visible
surface of cassette will be powder coating in the base color; further motives or decorations can be applied
by screen printing or multi-layer powder coating.

The aluminum surface shall be manufactured of 1 mm perforated sheet aluminum. The diameter of the
holes shall be 2.5 mm and the percentage of the holes shall be equal or more than 16%. The critical
frequency for this type of perforation above, at which the absorption will drop dramatically, is equal to
6500 Hz. That means the high absorption of this cassette will be effective over a wide range of frequencies
from 125 Hz to 6500 Hz. That range of frequencies is more than enough for the type of activities that will
be performed in the hall.

40 mm thick mineral wools slabs shall be fixed behind the aluminum surface. Textiles or tissues shall be
laminated the surfaces of the mineral wool to prevent trickling of glass fibers (Mineral wool slabs
according to DIN 18165). 500 mm air space shall be left between the cassette and the concrete surface of
the dome. The degree of absorption of this construction is shown in table 3.

Table 3
Absorption coefficient of an aluminum cassette construction

Frequency,
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Hz
Absorption
O.40 0.80 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.90
coefficient

The fixing to concrete surface will be by special approved metal dowels and a support structure to maintain
that required distance from the concrete surface, which is necessary for the correct sound absorption. The
whole structure shall be rigid and sufficiently strong. Fig. 4 shows the construction of the suggested
aluminum cassettes.

Fig. 4 Construction of aluminum cassette

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 5. Conclusion

The reverberation time of dome-shaped hall was studied by using a computer simulation program EASE
3.0. It was found that the ceiling treatment with the right absorptive material would yield the required
reverberation time. Due to architectural constraints a special construction was proposed, which has the
required absorption coefficient and fulfill the architectural needs.

6. References

1. David Egan. (1998). Architectural Acoustics. McGraw-Hill. Inc.

2. K.B. Ginn. (1978). Application of B & K Equipment to Architectural Acoustics. 1st Edition. B
& K publication, Denmark.
3. Sound Advice. Sound system Handbook. Bureau Veritas, BOUYER.