Experimental and numerical investigations on decay parameter distributions in coupled‐volume systems.

Abstract

The current interest of couple‐volume systems in performing art spaces has motivated research to better understand and predict multiple‐sloped sound energy decays. This work investigates sound energy decay characteristics of coupled spaces using scale model measurements and diffusion‐equation modeling results. The experimental and numerical study is aimed to reveal possible ranges of decay parameters when investigating source and receiver positions in the primary room and aperture sizes. The receiver positions over large areas in the primary room are investigated to identify the presence of a spatial dependence and variations of decay parameters on the source position as it changes with respect to the aperture. Both scale model measurements and diffusion‐equation model results are analyzed using Bayesian probability inference in order to estimate decay orders (number of multiple slopes) and to quantify multiple‐slope decay parameters including individual decay levels, level differences, and decay times of individual slopes. This paper will also discuss dependence on the upper limit of backward integration on signal‐to‐noise ratios achieved from experimental measurements.