MODELING AUDITORIUM ACOUSTICS WITH LIGHT

An optical method is presented for estimating the loudness, subjective spaciousness or clarity index within a proposed auditorium. A mirrore d small scale model is constructed which contains a finite size light source. The intensity and size of the multiple reflected images are re lated to the magnitudes and time delays of individual echos. Various w all surfaces giving combinations of specular reflection, diffuse refle ction and absorption are investigated. A photographic method for measu ring the size and intensity of the image is assessed.