A Study on the Efficiency of Architectural Acoustic Simulation Using 3D Models Created from Point Cloud Data
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Abstract
Architectural acoustics affect building users, especially in spaces like auditoriums. While tools exist for acoustic simulation, creating 3D models for buildings without them requires significant labor and time for surveying. With the growing use of point cloud technology in architecture and construction, it has become essential for capturing detailed information on existing buildings and renovations.
Recognizing the potential of point cloud data, this study explores its application in generating 3D models for architectural acoustic simulations and evaluates the effectiveness of this approach compared to traditional 3D models created manually from field measurements. Two methods are proposed for generating 3D models from point cloud data: a bounding box-based modeling approach using Rhinoceros Grasshopper and a Voxel-based modeling approach using the Volvox plugin. The 3D models were used to simulate acoustic performance under two different sets of material absorption coefficients.
The study found that both point cloud-based models successfully simulated four key acoustic parameters: Reverberation Time (RT60), Early Decay Time (EDT), Clarity (C80), and Speech Transmission Index (STI) across six frequency bands ranging from 125 Hz to 4000 Hz. The results followed the same trend and exhibited values similar to those obtained from the manually created 3D models. Among the two point cloud-based methods, the bounding box approach produced simulation results that more closely aligned with the manual models than the Voxel-based approach. This finding highlights the potential of these methods for further study and development in architectural acoustics.
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References
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