Acoustic energy relations in Mudejar-Gothic churches

Area of Science:

• Architectural Acoustics
• Building Physics
• Cultural Heritage

Background:

• Mudejar-Gothic churches represent unique acoustic environments.
• Objective acoustic measurements are crucial for understanding and preserving heritage spaces.
• Existing acoustic models may not fully capture the characteristics of these specific architectural styles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To objectively measure key acoustic parameters in 12 Mudejar-Gothic churches.
• To analyze the spatial and frequency-dependent behavior of these acoustic parameters.
• To develop and validate a new analytical semi-empirical model for predicting acoustic quality in these unique spaces.

Main Methods:

• Objective acoustic measurements were conducted in unoccupied churches following the ISO-3382 standard.
• Impulse response analysis using a maximum length sequence (MLS) system was employed.
• Acoustic parameters including clarity (C80), definition (D50), sound strength (G), and center time (Ts) were measured across a 125-4000 Hz frequency range.

Main Results:

• Extensive objective acoustic data were collected and analyzed for spatial distribution and frequency dependence.
• Experimental results were compared against classical and existing theoretical acoustic models.
• A novel semi-empirical model, primarily based on C80, was developed and demonstrated good agreement with measured D50, G, and Ts.

Conclusions:

• The proposed semi-empirical model provides accurate predictions for acoustic parameters like definition, sound strength, and center time in Mudejar-Gothic churches.
• This model can be a valuable tool for architectural acoustics design and preservation efforts for similar heritage structures.
• The study highlights the importance of objective measurements in understanding the acoustic behavior of historical buildings.