Using simulation to predict reverberation room performance: Validation and parameter study

Predicting the behavior of a reverberation room is inherently challenging and often puzzling. Many still rely on a time-consuming trial-and-error approach when designing the interior and placing diffusers to achieve a diffuse field. An accurate finite element simulation of a reverberation room would enable design ideas and modifications to be tested without any downtime of the physical room. Room modifications of interest are diffuser geometry, material, size, and placement, and the addition of tuned absorbers. For a simulation to be capable of such a task, each surface would need to accurately emulate the material specific behaviors occurring in the room. A finite element simulation in Actran VI was tuned to reflect the real-world low-frequency behavior of the reverberation room at Blachford Acoustics located in West Chicago, IL. A detailed analysis of the process and methods used to create and verify the model are discussed. This is followed by a simple parameter study to look at some modifications of interest.