Ray tracing is a method for calculating the path of acoustic waves of which applications are possible for enclosed spaces, industrial or not, in relation to acoustical quality consideration.
Input data for such computations are obviously the geometry of the considered space and the distribution of absorbing surfaces for which material quantity, sound absorption coefficient (and sometimes scattering coefficient) one should account, being either floor or walls or roof (whatever its shape is), or even obstacles e.g. furniture, machines, acoustic screens which are also elements of importance when considering indoor sound propagation.
For spaces where the volume is above usual limits, atmospheric sound absorption is also part of the input data set.
ITS invested in a ray tracing simulation tool to refine the prediction of the acoustical performance of enclosed spaces, namely when the complexity of their geometry or the inhomogen distribution of absorbing surfaces requires a modeling based on something else than analytic models, despite this latter have proven their usefulness in many cases e.g. where a quick evaluation of room acoustics is desired.
The expected consequence of this investment is the capability to complement the features of the software SILDIS® (Module 9: prediction of sound decay in enclosed spaces, Module 9A: prediction of sound spatial decay in open-plan offices) and to exceed its limitations, for the prediction of output data like reverberation time (usually referred to as T20 or T30 depending on the dynamic used for the evaluation), rate of spatial decay of sound pressure per distance doubling (usually referred to as DL2), excess of sound pressure level with respect to free field (usually referred to as DLf).
Such a tool is anticipated as being useful for machine halls, workshops, open plan offices and also for many recreational premises for which acoustic simulation is needed either to predict their conformity to any reference (regulatory, normative or other) or to evaluate (in advance) the efficiency of various soundproofing treatments.
As in the case of simulation software based on analytical approach, but with different features: once the performance of the enclosed space are properly determined, sound cartographies allowing the evaluation of sound pressure levels from sound power levels and directivity functions are possible.
To the ray tracing tool mean acquired by ITS recourse will be made: either in the context of Research & Development (R & D) projects or in the context of projects directly in relation to needs expressed by Clents.
ITS has a ray tracing simulation tool for the prediction of the acoustical performance of enclosed spaces.