Experiments in Room Acoustics: Modelling of a Church Sound Field and Reverberation Time Measurements

In this paper a study of the acoustical response of a new built church is shown. This study is based on the measurement of reverberation time, adopting the noise interrupted method, according to the International Standard. This method allows to evaluate the reverberation time by means of acoustical sound level acquisition and analysis. The reverberation time is one of the principal parameters to be optimized in order to design and/or verify the acoustical behaviour of a room and consequently to guarantee a good people hearing sensation. In a post-opera intervention, the reverberation time can be improved modifying the reflecting surfaces of walls, floor and roof, in order to reduce the energetic contributions of late reflections. This improvement can be achieved by replacing or covering reflecting surfaces with absorbing panels or carpets. The design of an appropriate intervention can be aided by a dedicated simulation software, as it is shown in the last part of the paper. Key-Words: Acoustical Field, Church Acoustics, Reverberation Time, Simulation Software.