Numerical methodologies for optimizing and predicting the low frequency behavior of anechoic chambers

This paper presents a description of the use of simplified numerical methodologies for the optimization of the low cut-off frequency of anechoic and hemi-anechoic chambers. The anechoic chamber is modeled as a cavity with proper surface impedance boundary conditions. First, the shape of the wedges is optimized by means of a minimization-based procedure of a finite element model of such elements in a "virtual" impedance tube for a plane wave field. An equivalent surface impedance of the wedges is determined from those data. An analytical procedure is then used to determine the complex reflection coefficient for spherical waves at oblique incidence. Finally, a complex image source approach is used to predict the sound field within the chamber. The methodology is applied to two anechoic chambers and the results are compared in terms of sound decay along fixed directions and surface pressure distributions. (C) 2013 Acoustical Society of America.