Browsing by Subject "Room Acoustics"

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Open Access
Acoustical performance analysis of Bilkent University amphitheater "Odeon"
(2004) Sü, Zühre
The aim of this study is analyzing the acoustical quality of Bilkent University Amphitheater ODEON by means of assessing the fundamental acoustical parameters for both speech and music. Defining the problems, specifying the causes of the problems and providing a foundation for the ongoing suggestions are within the frame of the analysis. The parameters such as reverberation time, early decay time, clarity, definition, lateral fraction, sound pressure level and sound transmission index are calculated by the computer simulation technique for their assessment to be carried out. Initially, the results of the simulation software are compared with the previous real-size measurements of Bilkent ODEON for the unoccupied condition of the amphitheater, in order to ensure the accuracy of the software. Proving to be a valid tool, the software namely ODEON Room Acoustics Program, is used in the calculations for the occupied condition of the amphitheater as a basis of the study. The results are evaluated from the acoustical design standpoint of a multipurpose hall, which are followed by the suggestions for the improvement of the existing acoustical performance of the amphitheater. Finally, the suggestions are supported through the simulation results of the new hall that is acoustically renovated.
Open Access
Effects of speech intelligibility on computer-based task performance in open-plan offices
(2008) Kitapcı, Kıvanç
The aim of this thesis is to find out the effects of speech and speech intelligibility on computer-based task performance in open-plan offices. The research was conducted in a real open-plan office environment to include the open-office experience of subjects to the analysis. STM Bilkent Office was selected as the case, and 40 available open-office occupants were participated to the study. The experiment consists of three main phases. In the first phase, real-size measurement of selected open-office area within STM Bilkent was analyzed to understand effects of divider panels on acoustical situation of the room, and to check the reliability of the computer simulation. In the second phase, acoustical simulation of the site was done, to derive distribution graphs for speech related room acoustics parameters. In the last phase, occupants computer-based task performances were tested under three different sound environments, which are continuous noise, speech and masked speech. According to statistical analysis of performance test, and acoustical properties of the case STM, suggestions for renovation were discussed and tested in computer simulation. It was found that, effects of intelligible speech on occupants task performance is only psychological, because it is significant that there is no difference between results of performance test. However, all of the occupants respond to the questionnaires that speech sound environment was the most distracting one. Proposal for renovation was given to minimize the effects of intelligible speech on occupants for preventing the long-term effects on occupants’ health.