Equivalent absorption area

When it comes to calculating the reverberation time in closed rooms, the equivalent absorption area is of particular importance. The larger the area for an imaginary 100% sound absorption, the shorter the reverberation time. In existing rooms, the reverberation time is usually determined by an appropriate measuring method. However, it is useful to calculate the expected reverberation time already when planning an object. This works by estimating the equivalent absorption area. In this way, corrections can be made in good time by means of structural measures.

The equivalent absorption surface is an imaginary surface with an absorption coefficient of 1. This results in an identical absorption as the actual surface of the sound absorber. The equivalent absorption surface is always given in m2.
The absorption area of a room is referred to as absorption capacity in various standards. It is usually determined from the measured reverberation time but can also be determined from the average sound level generated by the reference sound source in a room.