Prediction of the acoustics of coupled rooms with the acoustic-diffusion model

A general model is proposed to simulate the acoustics of coupled rooms. It is based on
a diffusion equation, solved numerically to perform acoustic predictions. The presence of
scattering objects –or the “fittings”– is also taken into account. Distinct sub-volumes can be
defined, representing either coupled volumes or zones with different fitting characteristics.
Some sample results are presented, and compared with ray-tracing results and experimental
data. Two situations are assessed: two coupled classrooms, and a room divided into two
zones, one empty, one fitted. The diffusion-model predictions match the other data
satisfactorily, both in terms of sound attenuation and sound decay. Diffusion-based results
are obtained with the advantage of low computational time compared to ray-tracing results.