1.

Find reverberation time for a hall of dimensions 40 x 30 x 20 having average absorption

coefficient of 0.15.

L=40' ; W =30' ; H =20' ; a =0.15

Given:

Required:
Solution:

0.05 V
1
s ft
a S

Volume of t h e hall ,V =40 30 20=24000 ft

Surface area of hall , S=2 [ ( 40 30 ) + ( 30 20 ) + ( 20 40 ) ]

2 ( 1200+ 600+ 800 )=5200 ft 2
total average absorption , a S=0.15 5200 ft 2=780 ft 2 OWU sabin

0.05 24000 ft 3 1
s ft
2
780 ft

=1.54 s

2. In problem 1, how much area we should treat with an absorbing material of absorption
coefficient, 0.20, to reduce its reverberation time to 1.2 s?
Given:

a =0.20 ; =1.2 s

Required:

Solution:

tot al average absorption , a S=0.15 ( 5200 A )+ 0.20 A=780+0.05 A

0.05 24000 ft 3
=1.2
(780+ 0.05 A)

0.05 A=

A=

1200
780=1000780=220
1.2

220
0.05

A=4400 ft

3. If a University lecture hall (15m x 8m x 3m) is heavily damped with absorption coefficient
0.3. Calculate its reverberation time if approximation is applied.
Given:

L=15 m; W =8 m ; H =3 m; a=0.3

Required:

Solution:

0.162 V
1
sm
a S
3

0.162 360 m
=
s m1
2
0.3 2 [ ( 15 8 )+ ( 8 3 ) + ( 3 15 ) ] m

58.32
s
0.3 378

=0.51 s
4. If a University lecture hall (15m x 8m x 3m) is heavily damped with absorption coefficient
0.3. Calculate its reverberation time if approximation is NOT applied
Given:

L=15 m; W =8 m ; H =3 m; a=0.3

Required:

Solution:

0.162 V
Sln(1 a )

0.162 360
378 ln ( 10.3)

58.32
378 0.357

=0.43 s

5. If a Concert hall of 70 x 40 x 15 has plastered surface of absorption oefficient, 0.1, and a

capacity of an audience of 100 adults (each having an absorption of 4.7ft 2 OWU), find
reverberation time of the hall.
Given:

'

'

'

L=70 ; W =40 ; H =15 ; a =0.1 ; n=100

Required:
Solution:

a 1 S1=0.1 2 [ ( 70 40 ) +( 40 15 )+(15 70)] +4.7 100

a 1 S1=0.1 8900+4.7 100=890+ 470=1360 ft 2 OWU
=

0.05 V 0.0 .5 42000

=
1360
a1 S1

1.54 s

6. A hall (80 x 40 x 20) has reverberation time of 1.5 second. If the hall is partitioned into two
halves by hanging a curtain (absorption coefficient = 0.4), and consequently, the
reverberation time reduces by 0.25 s, find the curtain length if the breadth is 10.
Given:

'

'

'

L=80 ; W =40 ; H =20 ; a=0.4 ; =0.25 s ; W H =breadt h=10'

Required:

Curtainlengt h

Solution:
Without curtain

0.05 V
0.05 64000 ft 3 1
s ft1=
s ft =1.5 s
aS
aS

aS=

3200 2
2
ft =2133 ft (OWU )
1.5

With curtain of effective area A:

1.25 s=

0.05 64000 ft 3 1
s ft
a S +0.4 A

1.25 s=

3200 ft
s ft1
2
2133 ft +0.4 A

1.25 2133 ft 2 +1.25 0.4 A=3200 ft 2

2

2666 ft +0.5 A=3200 ft

A=

534
0.5

A=1068 ft 2
Area includes both sides of the curtain, thus actual curtain area will be half of this area, i.e., 534
ft2
Now

Curtainarea=Lengt h Breadt h
2

534 ft =Lengt h 10 ft
Curtainlengt h=53.4 ft

7. If a cubical hall of dimension a and average absorption coefficient

time 2s, what will be the reverberation time if its dimension is doubled.
Given:

=2 s ; dimension a , absorption coefficient , a

has reverberation

Required:

w h en dimensionis doubled

Solution:

0.05 V 0.05 a3
=
=2 s
aS
a (6 a2)

Now ,dimension=2a

Hence ,V =(2 a)3=8 a3S=6(2 a)2=4 6 a 2

So , =

3
0.05 V 0.05(8 a )
=
=2 2 s
a S
a (4 6 a2 )

=4 s , i. e ., it isdoubled

8. If a cubical hall of dimension a and average absorption coefficient

time 2s, what will be the reverberation time if its volume is doubled.
Given:

=2 s ; dimension a , absorption coefficient , a

Required:

w h en volume is doub led

Solution:
3

0.05 V 0.05 a
=
=2 s
2
aS
a (6 a )
1
3

Now , volume=2V =2 a =(2 a)3

1

T h us , dimension ( side )=2 3 a , w h ic h gives S=6 (2 3 a)2=2 3 (6 a2 )

has reverberation

So , =

0.05 V 0.05(2 a ) 3
= 2
=2 2 s
a S
2
a 2 3 (6 a )

=2 3 2 s , i. e . , 2 3
9. Find the reverberation time for a hall of dimensions 50 x 25 x 15 having average
absorption coefficient of 0.10.
'
'
'
L=50 ; W =25 ; H=15 ; a =0.10

Given:

Required:

Solution:

0.05 V
s ft1
a S

Volume of t h e hall ,V =50 25 15=18750 ft 3

Surface area of hall , S=2 [ ( 50 25 ) + ( 25 15 )+ ( 15 50 ) ]
2 ( 1250+375+ 750 )=4750 ft 2
tal average absorption , a S=0.10 4750 ft 2=475 ft 2 OWU sabin

0.05 18750 ft 3 1
s ft
475 ft 2

=1.97 s
10. For a hall (60 x 30 x 15), find the reverberation time if its absorption coefficient is 0.12.
Also find the area to be treated with a material of absorption coefficient 0.25 to reduce its
reverberation time 1.2s.
Given:

L=60' ; W =30 ' ; H=15' ; a 1=0.12; a 2=0.25 ; 2=1.2 s

Required:

Solution:

0.05 V
s ft1
a S

For reverberation time

Volume of t h e hall ,V =60 30 15=27000 ft 3

Surface area of hall , S=2 [ ( 60 30 )+ ( 30 15 )+ ( 15 60 ) ]
2 ( 1800+ 450+900 )=6300 ft 2
2

total average absorption , a S=0.12 6300 ft =756 ft OWU sabin

1=

0.05 27000 ft 3 1
s ft
756 ft 2

1=1.79 s
For area for reduced reverberation time

total average absorption , a S=0.12 ( 6300 A )+ 0.25 A=756+0.13 A

0.05 27000 ft 3
2=
=1.2
(756+ 0.13 A)

0.13 A=

A=

369
0.13

1350
756=1000780=369
1.2

A=2838.46 ft 2
11. A church has an internal volume of 90.05 ft 3 (2550 m3). When it contains 2000 customary
sabins of absorption (186 metric sabins), what will be its reverberation time in seconds?
GIVEN: Volume, V = 90.05 ft3 = 2550 m3
Total absorption, A = 186 metric sabins
REQUIRED: Reverberation time, R = ?
SOLUTION:
R

0.16V
A

0.16(2500)
186

R 2.19 sec onds

12. A ministry contains 1500 customary sabins of absorption (139.5 metric sabins). Its
reverberation time in seconds is 2.26 . What is its internal volume in meters. ?
GIVEN: Total absorption, A = 139.5 metric sabins
Reverberation time, R = 2.26 seconds
REQUIRED: Volume, V = ?
SOLUTION:
R

0.16V
A

RA
0.16

(2.26)(139.5)
0.16

V=1970.44m 3

13. Calculate the Norris-Eyring reverberation time of uniformly diffuse sound in a live room if the
average absorption is 0.8 and the reverberation time is 1.75 s.

GIVEN: Absorption, A = 0.8

Reverberation time, R = 1.75 s
REQUIRED: Norris-Eyring Reverberation time, R(N-E) = ?
SOLUTION:

R(N-E) =

R
ln(1 A)

R(N-E) =

1.75
ln(1 0.8)

R(N E) 1.087s
14. Calculate the Norris-Eyring reverberation time of uniformly diffuse sound in a live room if the
average absorption is 0.65 and the reverberation time is 1.23 s.
GIVEN: Absorption, A = 0.65
Reverberation time, R = 1.23 s
REQUIRED: Norris-Eyring Reverberation time, R(N-E) = ?
SOLUTION:

R(N-E) =

R
ln(1 A)

R(N-E) =

1.23
ln(1 0.65)

R(N E) 1.172s
15. A room has an internal volume of 2034 m 3. When it contains 1200 customary sabins of
absorption (111.6 metric sabins), what will be its reverberation time in seconds?
GIVEN: Volume, V = 2034 m3
Total absorption, A = 111.6 metric sabins
REQUIRED: Reverberation time, R = ?
SOLUTION:

0.16V
A

0.16(2034)
111.6

R 2.92 sec onds

16. What is the reverberation time of a room whose surface area is 75 m2, whose volume is 42 m3,
and whose average absorption coefficient is 0.9, 0.2? What would be the effect of doubling all
the dimensions of the room while keeping the average absorption coefficients the same?
Solution:
for = 0.9:
T60 = (-0.161V)/(S ln(1-) = (-0.161 x 42m-3)/(75 m2 x ln (1-0.9) ) = 0.042s (42 x10-3s)
For a = 0.2 we get:
T60 = (-0.161V)/(S ln(1-) = (-0.161 x 42m-3)/(75 m2 x ln (1-0.2) ) = 0.43 s
which would correspond well with the typical T6o of a living room, which is in fact what it is.
If the room dimensions are doubled then the ratio of volume with respect to the surface area
also doubles so the new reverberation times are given by:
Vdoubled/S doubled= Linear Dimension doubled= 2
so the old reverberation times are increased by a factor of 2:
T60 doubled = T60 X 2
which gives a reverberation time of:
T60 doubled = T60 X 2 = 0.042 x 2 = 0.084 s
when = 0.9 and:
T60 doubled = T60 X 2 = 0.43 x 2 = 0.86 s
17. Compute the reverberation time T using T = 0.05 (V/a).
Solution:
T = 0.05 (Va) = 0.05 X 31,5001149 = 15751149 = 1.37s at 500 Hz

Find the reverberation time T if 50 percent of the ceiling surface (along the perimeter of the
room) is treated with acoustical panels at of 0.85. The central area remains sound-reflecting
to help distribute sound energy from lectern end toward rear of the room.
Compute the total room absorption a using a = S .
S
Bare ceiling
Treated ceiling

1050x0.04=
1050x0.85=

a (sabins)
42
892

Walls
Floor
Total a =

2850x0.30=
2100x0.10=

855
210
1999 sabins

Compute new reverberation time T.

T = 0.05 (Va) = 0.05x31,5001999 = 15751999 = 0.79s at 500Hz
The reverberation time is reduced to below 1 s with 50 percent ceiling treatment for
unoccupied conditions. This represents a reduction of (1.37 - 079)/1.37 x 100 = 42 percent,
which is a clearly noticeable change. Absorption provided by teachers and students will
further reduce reverberation depending on the number of occupants, their distribution
throughout the room, and the clothing worn.
18. A small room 10 ft by 10 ft by 10 ft has all walls and floor finished in ex posed concrete. The
ceiling is completely covered with sound-absorbing spray- on material. Sound absorption
coefficients are 0.02 for concrete and 0.70 for spray-on material, both at 500 Hz.

Find the noise reduction NR in this room if sound-absorbing panels are added to two adjacent
walls. The sound absorption coefficient a is 0.85 for panels at 500 Hz.

Solution:
Compute the surface areas S.
S = 5 x 10 x 10=500 ft^2 of concrete
S = 10 X 10 = 100 ft^2 of spray-on material
Compute the total room absorption a with spray-on material on the ceiling.
a1 = S = (500 X 0.02) + .(100 X 0.70) = 10 + 700 sabin
Compute the total room absorption a2 with sound-absorbing panels covering two walls and
spray-on material on ceiling.
a2 = (300X 0.02) + (200X 0.85) + (100 X 0.70) = 6 + 170 + 70 = 246 sabin
Compute the noise reduction NR.
NR= 10log (a2a1) = 10log (246/80) = 10log (3.075 X 10^0)
= 10(0.4878) = 5dB
This would be a noticeable improvement. With no treatment, the total absorption in the room
would only be 600 X 0.02 = 12 sabins. Therefore, treating the ceiling alone provides
NR = 10 log (80/12)= 10 log 6.67 = 10(0.8241) = 8 dB

which is a significant reduction. However, initial conditions of all hard surfaces in

unfurnished rooms rarely occur.
19. Find the noise reduction NR if all four wall surfaces are treated with fabric- covered panels
and the floor is carpeted. The sound absorption coefficient of the carpet is 0.50 at 500 Hz.

Solution:
Compute the total room absorption a3 with sound-absorbing panels on all walls, spray-on
material on ceiling, and carpet on floor.
a3 = S = (400X0.85) + (100 X0.70) + (100X0.50)
= 340 + 70 + 50 = 460 sabins
2. Compute the noise reduction NR for these improvements compared to room conditions of
spray-on ceiling treatment alone.
NR = 10log (a3/a1) = 10log(460/80) = 10 log (5.75 x 10^0)
= 10(0.7597) = 8 dB
Surfaces Treated ( addition to ceiling)

Room NR (at 500 Hz)

Two walls
Four walls and floor

5 dB
8 dB

The results from both parts of the problem are summarized below.
Note: The NRs given in the above table would not be as great at low frequencies be cause
sound absorption coefficients usually are smaller at low frequencies than at mid- or high
frequencies.
20. A classroom 60 ft long by 35 ft wide by 15 ft high has sound absorption coefficients of 0.30
for walls, 0.04 for ceiling, and 0.10 for floor. All are at 500 Hz.

Find the reverberation time T at 500 Hz in this space with no occupants and no soundabsorbing treatment.
Compute the room volume V.
V=60X35X15=31,500ft
Compute the surface areas S.
Ceiling S =60X35=2100ft
Walls S = 2 X 35 X 15 = 1050 ft
S = 2X60X 15= 1800ft
Floor S = 60 X 35 = 2100 ft

Compute the total room absorption a using a = S .

Ceiling
Walls
Floor

a (sabins)

2100 X
2850 X
2100 X

0.04 =
0.30 =
0.10=

84
855
210

Total a = 1149 sabins

Note: Include air absorption in total for large rooms at frequencies greater than 1000 Hz.
Compute the reverberation time T using T = 0.05 (V/a)
T = 0.05 (Va) = 0.05 X 31,5001149 = 15751149 = 1.37s at 500 Hz
21. Here are the dimensions of a room to use in an example calculation:

[c=ceiling, fl=floor, rs=rightside, ls=leftside, ft=front, bk=back]

Begin by calculating the volume of the room in cubic feet:
V = (704520) = 63000 ft3
Next, identify the room's surfaces that will contribute to the total absorption:
Atot = Scac + Sflafl + Srsars + Slsals + Sftaft + Sbkabk
Now calculate each surface area in square feet:
Sc = Sfl = (70x45) = 3150
Srs = Sls = (70x20) = 1400
Sft = Sbk = (45x20) = 900
So our expression for total absorption becomes:
Atot = (3150)ac + (3150)afl + (1400)ars + (1400)als + (900)aft + (900)abk
or, more simply:
Atot = (3150)( ac + afl) + (1400)( ars + als) + (900)( aft + abk)
Now we need absorption coefficients for each surface. Lets choose plaster on lath for the front
and side walls, a suspended "acoustic" tile ceiling, heavy drapery covering the back wall, and a
carpet on a pad on the floor. Here are the coefficients for those materials for different
frequencies. The frequency labels are the center frequencies of octave bands:

Material

125 250 500 1

2
4
Hz Hz Hz kHz kHz kHz

plaster on lath

0.14 0.10 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.03

heavy drapes

0.14 0.35 0.55 0.72 0.70 0.65

carpet on pad

0.08 0.24 0.57 0.69 0.71 0.73

susp acoust tile

0.76 0.93 0.83 0.99 0.99 0.99

First, we'll plug in the coefficients for low pitched sounds -- the 125 Hz octave band:
Atot = (3150)( .76 + .08) + (1400)( .14 + .14) + (900)( .14 + .14)
= (2646) + (392) + (252) = 3290 ft2
and the reverberation time, using the constant 0.049 with our foot units, will be:
TR, 125 Hz= (0.049)(63000)/(3290) = 0.94 sec
Now we'll plug in the coefficients for the same materials but for high pitched sounds -- the 2
kHz octave band:
Atot = (3150)( .99 + .71) + (1400)( .04 + .04) + (900)( .04 + .70)
= (5355) + (112) + (666) = 6133 ft2
Giving us a very different reverberation time at these frequencies:
TR, 2 kHz= (0.049)(63000)/(6133) = 0.50 sec
22. Refer to the given in problem number 4 and use the Fitzroy Equation.
TR = cV((Sx2/Ax) + (Sy2/Ay) + (Sz2/Az))/(Sx + Sy + Sz)2
For our example, this becomes:
= cV[((Sft + Sbk)2/(Aft + Abk)) + ((Sls + Srs)2/(Als+ Ars)) + ((Sc + Sfl)2/(Ac + Afl))]/(Sft + Sbk + Sls+
Srs+ Sc+ Sfl)2
Using the same surface materials as with the Sabine equation above, for the 125 Hz octave
band we get:
= (.049)(63000)((900+900)2/(126+126)) + (1400+1400)2/(196+196) + (3150+3150)2/
(2394+252))/(900+900+1400+1400+3150+3150)2
= (.049)(63000)((12857 + 20000 + 15000)/(118810000)
TR= 1.24 sec
23. A gymnasium has an internal volume of 90.05 ft3. When it contains 2000 customary sabins of
absorption what will be its reverberation time in seconds?
Given: Volume (V) = 90.05 ft3
Total absorption (A) = 2000 sabins
Find:
Reverberation time (RT60)
Solution:
Using the formula for English system

RT 60=

0.049 V
A

RT 60=

0.049(90.05)
2000 x 103

RT 60=2 . 2062 sec

24. A concert hall contains 3000 customary sabins of absorption (279 metric sabins). Its
reverberation time in seconds is 2.23. What is its internal volume in meters?
Given: Reverberation time (RT60) = 2.23 seconds
Total absorption (A) = 279 metric sabins
Find:
Volume (V)
Solution:
Using the formula for Metric system

RT 60=

0.161V
A

V=

RT 60 A
0.161

V=

2.23 279
0.161

V =3864 . 4099m

25. Calculate the Norris-Eyring reverberation time of uniformly diffuse sound in a live room if the
average absorption is 0.8 and the Sabine reverberation time is 1.23 sec.
Given: Average absorption (A) = 0.69
Sabine Reverberation time (RT60(SABINE)) = 1.23 sec
Find:
Norris-Eyring reverberation time (RT60(NORRIS-EYRING))
Solution:
Using the relationship between Sabine and Norris-Eyring Equation

RT 60( NORRISEYRING )=
RT 60( NORRISEYRING )=

RT 60(SABINE )
ln ( 1 A)
1.23 sec
ln ( 10.69)

RT 60( NORRISEYRING )=1 .0502 sec

26. A classroom 60 ft long by 35 ft wide by 15 ft high has sound absorption coefficients (A) of
0.30 for walls, 0.04 for ceiling, and 0.10 for floor. All A are at 500 Hz. Find the reverberation
time (RT60) at 500 Hz in this space with no occupants and no sound-absorbing treatment.
Given: Length (l) = 60 ft
Width (w) = 35 ft
Height (h) = 15 ft
Sound absorption coefficients (A):
Wall = 0.30
Ceiling = 0.04
Floor = 0.10
500 Hz
Find:
Reverberation time (RT60)
Solution:
Compute the room volume (V)
V= l X w X h
V = 60 X 35 X 15
V =31,500 ft3
Compute the surface areas (S)
SCEILING = l X w
SCEILING = 60 X 35
SCEILING = 2100 ft2
SWALL = 2(h X w)
SWALL = 2 X 15 X 35
SWALL = 1050 ft2

SWALL = 2(h X l)
SWALL = 2 X 15 X 60
SWALL = 1800 ft2

SFLOOR = l X w
SFLOOR = 60 X 35
SFLOOR = 2100 ft2
Compute the total room absorption a using A= S A

A (sabins)

Ceiling

2100 X

0.04 =

84

Walls

2850 X

0.30 =

855

Floor

2100 X

0.10=

210

Total A = 1149 sabins

Using the formula for English system

RT 60=

0.049 V
A

RT 60=

0.049(31500)
1149

RT 60=1 .3433 sec at 500 Hz

27. A studio 100 m long by 75 m wide by 5 m high has sound absorption coefficients (A) of 0.23
for walls, 0.08 for ceiling, and 0.15 for floor. Find the reverberation time (RT60) in this space
with no occupants and no sound-absorbing treatment.
Given: Length (l) = 100 m
Width (w) = 75 m
Height (h) = 5 m
Sound absorption coefficients (A):
Wall = 0.23
Ceiling = 0.08
Floor = 0.15
Find:
Reverberation time (RT60)
Solution:
Compute the room volume (V)
V= l X w X h
V = 100 X 75 X 5
V =37,500 m3
Compute the surface areas (S)
SCEILING = l X w
SCEILING = 100 X 75
SCEILING = 7500 m2
SWALL = 2(h X w)
SWALL = 2 X 5 X 75
SWALL = 750 m2

SWALL = 2(h X l)
SWALL = 2 X 5 X 100
SWALL = 1000 m2

SFLOOR = l X w
SFLOOR = 100 X 75
SFLOOR = 7500 ft2
Compute the total room absorption a using A= S A

A (sabins)

Ceiling

7500 X

0.08 =

600

Walls

1750 X

0.23 =

402.5

Floor

7500 X

0.15=

1125

Total A = 2127.5 sabins

Using the formula for Metric system

RT 60=

0.161V
A

RT 60=

0.161(37500)
2127.5

RT 60=2 . 8378 sec

28. Same given with problem number 4. Find the reverberation time (RT60) if 50 percent of the
ceiling surface (along the perimeter of the room) is treated with acoustical panels at A of 0.85.
The central area remains sound-reflecting to help distribute sound energy from lectern end
toward rear of the room.
Given: Length (l) = 60 ft
Width (w) = 35 ft
Height (h) = 15 ft
Sound absorption coefficients (A):
Wall = 0.30
Ceiling = 0.04
Floor = 0.10
500 Hz
Find:
Reverberation time (RT60)
Solution:
Compute the total room absorption a using A = S A

Bare ceiling

SA (sabins)

1050

0.04

42

Treated ceiling

1050

0.85

892

Walls

2850

0.30

855

Floor

2100

0.10

210

Total A =

1999 sabins

Using the formula for English system

RT 60=

0.049 V
A

RT 60=

0.049(31500)
1999

RT 60=0 . 7721 sec at 500 Hz

29. Calculate the Sabine reverberation time of uniformly diffuse sound in a studio-type room if the
average absorption is 0.69 and the Norris-Eyring reverberation time is 2.23 sec.
Given: Average absorption (A) = 0.69
Sabine Reverberation time (RT60(SABINE)) = 2.23 sec
Find:
Norris-Eyring reverberation time (RT60(NORRIS-EYRING))
Solution:
Using the relationship between Sabine and Norris-Eyring Equation

RT 60( NORRISEYRING )=

RT 60(SABINE )
ln ( 1 A)

RT 60(SABINE )=RT 60(NORRIS EYRING) ln ( 1 A)

RT 60(SABINE )=2.23 sec ln ( 10.69)

RT 60(SABINE )=2 . 6117 sec

30. A cinema has an internal volume of 2300 m3. Its reverberation time in seconds is 1.8. What is
its total absorption in metric?
Given: Reverberation time (RT60) = 1.8 seconds
Volume (V) = 2300 m3
Find:
Total absorption (A)

Solution:
Using the formula for Metric system

RT 60=

0.161V
A

A=

0.161 V
RT 60

A=

0.161 2300
1.8

A=205. 7222 metric sabins

31. A theatre hall has an internal volume of 5000 m3. Its reverberation time in seconds is 1.3. What
is its internal volume in English system?
Given: Reverberation time (RT60) = 1.3 seconds
Volume (V) = 5000 m3
Find:
Total absorption (A)
Solution:
Using the formula for Metric system

RT 60=

0.161V
A

A=

0.161 V
RT 60

A=

0.161 5000
1.3

A=619.2308metric sabins

10.7527 sabin
1 metric sabin

A=6658. 4030 sabin

32. A theatre hall 5000 m long, 6000 m wide and 4500 m high has a total sound absorption
coefficient of 0.98. Find its reverberation time (RT60) using Norris-Eyring Equation.
Given: Length (l) = 5000 m
Width (w) = 6000 m
Height (h) = 4500 m
Total sound absorption coefficient (A) = 0.98
Find:
Reverberation time (RT60)
Solution:
Using the formula for Metric system

RT 60=

0.161 V
S ln ( 1 A)

V =l w h

V =5000 6000 4500

V =1.35 1011 m3
SCEILING = l X w
SCEILING = 5000 X 6000
SCEILING = 30 X 106 m2
SWALL = 2(h X w)
SWALL = 2 X 4500 X 6000
SWALL = 54 X 106 m2

SWALL = 2(h X l)
SWALL = 2 X 4500 X 5000
SWALL = 45 X 106 m2

SFLOOR = l X w
SFLOOR = 5000 X 6000
SFLOOR = 30 X 106 m2
11

0.161(1.35 10 )
RT 60=
6
( 159 10 ) ln (1.75)
RT 60=34 . 9431 seconds
33. A church has an interval volume of 90.05 ft 3 (2550 m3). When it contains 2000 customay
sabins of absorption (186 metric sabins), what will be its reverberation time in seconds.
GIVEN:
V=2550 m3 (90.05 ft3)
A=186 metric sabins (2000 customay sabins of absorption)
REQUIRED:
Reverberation time, RT60
SOLUTION:
RT60=

0.161 V
A

0.161(2550)
186

RT60=2.19 seconds
34. An enclosed room has an internal volume of 4000 m 3. When it contains 200 metric sabins,
what will be its reverberation time in seconds?
GIVEN:
Volume, V = 4000 m3

Total absorption,

= 200 metric sabins

REQUIRED:
Reverberation time, RT60
SOLUTION:
RT60

0.161 V 0.161(4000)
=

200

RT60 = 3.22 seconds

35. A church has an internal volume of 5200 ft 3. When it contains 1200 customary sabins of
absorption, what will be its reverberation time in seconds?
GIVEN:
Volume, V = 5200 ft3
Total absorption,

= 1200 customary sabins

REQUIRED:
Reverberation time, RT60
SOLUTION:
RT60

0.049 V 0.049(5200)
=

1200

RT60 = 0.2123333 seconds

36. Calculate the Norris-Eyering reverberation time of uniformly diffuse sound in a live room if
the average absorption is 0.5 and the reverberation time is 2.5 s.
GIVEN:

Absorption,

= 0.5

Reverberation time, RT = 2.5 s

REQUIRED:
Norris-Eyering Reverberation time, RT60(N-E)
SOLUTION:
RT60(N-E)

RT
2.5
=
ln( 1 ) ln(10.5)

RT60(N-E) = 3.6067 seconds

37. Calculate the reverberation time at 500Hz, for a classroom that is 9m wide by 16m long by 3m
high. The floor is with heavy carpet on concrete, the walls are made of plywood sheet, 1/4" on
studs, and the ceiling is acoustic tile rigidly mounted
GIVEN:
Frequency = 500Hz
Width of the wall, W = 9m.
Length of the wall, L = 16m.
Height of the wall, H = 3m.
Surface area of floor, Sf = 144 m2
Surface area of ceiling, Sc = 144 m2

Absorption coefficient of wall , w =0.1

Absorption coefficient of floor , f =0.15
Absorption coefficient of ceiling, c =0.7

REQUIRED: Reverberation time, RT60

SOLUTION:

0.161 V
(S)( )

RT60=

0.161 V
(S f f )+ ( S c c ) +(S w w )

V = L x W x H = 16m x 9m x 3m = 432 m3
Sw = 2(W x H) + 2(L x H) = 2(9 x 3m) + 2(16m x 3m ) = 150m2

RT60
38.

0.161( 432)
69.552
=
( 144 x 0.15 ) + ( 144 x 0.7 ) +(150 x 0.1) 85.9

RT60 = 0.5062 seconds

An office contains 111.1 metric sabins of absorption. Its reverberation time in seconds is 1.11.
What is its internal volume in meters?
GIVEN:

Total absorption,

= 111.1 metric sabins

Reverberation time, RT = 1.11 seconds

REQUIRED: Volume, V
SOLUTION:
RT

V=

0.161 V

( RT ) 111.1(1.11)
=
0.161
0.161

V = 765.9689441 m3
39. Calculate the absorption of uniformly diffuse sound in a live room if the the Norris-Eyering
reverberation time is 1.1716 seconds and the reverberation time is 1.23 s.

GIVEN:
RT60(N-E) = 1.1716 seconds
Reverberation time, RT = 1.23 s
REQUIRED:
Absorption,

SOLUTION:

1+(e

= 3.8572

RT
RT ( N E )

)=1+(e

1.23
1.1716

40. An office contains 1567 customary sabins of absorption (238.1 metric sabins). Its
reverberation time in seconds is 1.35 . What is its internal volume in meters. ?
GIVEN:

Total absorption,

= 238.1 metric sabins

Reverberation time, RT = 1.35 seconds

REQUIRED: Volume, V
SOLUTION:
RT

V=

0.161 V

( RT ) 238.1(1.35)
=
0.161
0.161

V = 1996. 49 m3

41. In a music studio, there is said to be a reverberation time of 2.356seconds, compute for the
volume of the room in in ft when the area is 500ft 3 and the coefficient of absorption is 229 .
GIVEN:
Reverberation time, RT = 2.356seconds
Coefficient of absorption,
Area, A = 500ft3
REQUIRED: Volume, V
SOLUTION:

= 229

RT

0.049 V

( RT ) 229(2.35)
=
0.049
0.049

V = 10982.65 ft3
42. Find the absorption coefficient of the wall at 500Hz, for a classroom that is 9m wide by 14m
long by 3m high. The floor is with heavy carpet on concrete, and the ceiling is acoustic tile
rigidly mounted with a 1.23 seconds reverberation time.
GIVEN:
Frequency = 500Hz
Width of the wall, W = 5m.
Length of the wall, L = 4m.
Height of the wall, H = 3m.
Surface area of floor, Sf = 121 m2
Surface area of ceiling, Sc = 121 m2

Absorption coefficient of floor , f =0.2

Absorption coefficient of ceiling, c =0.8

Reverberation time, RT = 2.34 seconds

REQUIRED:

Absorption coefficient of wall , w

SOLUTION: RT=

0.161 V
(S)( )

0.161 V
(S f f )+ ( S c c ) +(S w w )

S
( c c )
0.161V
( S f f )
RT

V = L x W x H = 5m x 4m x 3m = 60 m3
Sw = 2(W x H) + 2(L x H) = 2(5 x 3m) + 2(4m x 3m ) = 54m2

0.161( 60)
( 121 0.2 ) (121 0.8)
2.34
138

w = -2.1643

PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Electronics Engineering
Intramuros, Manila

Broadcasting and Acoustics:

Compilation of Sample Problems in Reverberation Time

Prepared by:
BSECE IV
SY 2014-2015
Prepared to:
Engr. Carlos C. Sison
PECE, DEM