Measurement and simulation of the sound field in a concrete grain silo

Abstract

This paper presents impulse response measurements of a concrete grain silo and results from simulations of the measured sound field. The purpose of the measurement and simulations has been to assess the validity of the evaluation tools used for the acoustic design of an art museum, a project comprising the renovation of an existing reinforced concrete grain silo building from 1935 into a space for exhibition of art. The architects' concept involves cutting the lower half of the silos to create a central space (approximate volume 6500 m3, height 28 m) and exhibition spaces (approximate volume 2600 m3, average height 12 m), while keeping the upper half of the cylinders with an open end to these spaces. This paper presents how the measurements and simulations of a single concrete grain silo (approximate volume 450 m3, height 30 m) were used to adjust relevant settings in the acoustic simulations. Uncertainties related to the simulation tools are presented and acoustical challenges imposed by the geometry of the proposed architectural concept are discussed.