WAVEFORM

TM

the next generation of optimized

acoustical shapes

RPG Diffusor Systems, 651-C Commerce Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

Phone 301-249-0044 Fax 301-249-3912 email info@rpginc.com web www.rpginc.com
 WAVEFORM
TM

the next generation of optimized

acoustical shapes

RPG Diffusor Systems, 651-C Commerce Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

Phone 301-249-0044 Fax 301-249-3912 email info@rpginc.com web www.rpginc.com
SHAPE OPTIMIZATION
As architecture evolves, there is a
need for quantitative, contempo-
rary, sound diffusing shapes that
complement modern design in the
same way that the vernacular
forms of relief ornamentation,
columns, statuary, etc. comple-
mented classic architecture. In
1983, RPG introduced the first
contemporary, quantitative sound
diffusing shapes called reflection
phase gratings. They had a very
pronounced form of a series of
divided wells of differing depths
that were based on mathematical
number theory. These were
quickly assimilated into modern
architectural acoustic designs, but
there was a further need for more
generic shapes that architects
could integrate into their designs.
To solve this problem, RPG devel-
oped a powerful iterative software
program (shown schematically
below) that allowed the architect
to suggest a shape motif and the
program would acoustically opti-
mize this shape, while maintaining
the desired motif. This ushered in
a new generation of 1-dimension-
al and 2-dimensional (2D) opti-
mized wall and ceiling shapes.
The desired shape is mathemati-
cally described and segmented
into a mesh with boundary ele-
ments 1/6th the size of the maxi-
and contrasted with the uniform
sound levels scattered from an WAVEFORMTM
optimized overhead canopy.
Without the aid of the Shape
Optimizer, it is almost impossible MONORADIALTM BIRADIALTM
to determine if a given canopy
shape, panel density and orienta- The Monoradial is a 4’ x 8’ simple The Biradial is an 8’ x 8’
tion will provide optimal coverage. convex arc, available in Glass x 6” Glass Fiber
Fiber Reinforced Gypsum (GRG) Reinforced Gypsum
Once the optimal shape is deter- and wood. The depth can be as (GRG) ceiling canopy,
mum wavelength (mesh shown
mined, further improvement can deep as 1” per linear foot. An 8’ which is curved in two
above is for a Waveform Bicubic).
be achieved by avoiding a period- panel can be a max. of 8” deep. directions. It is supplied
Each boundary element is a dif-
ic repetition of the shape, as you Custom GRG sizes are available. in four sections, which
ferential equation and the surface
would see in a wallpaper or floor- are bolted together,
pressures in each element are
ing pattern. While this may be taped, sanded and fin-
obtained by solving the thousands
pleasing to the eye, repetition is ished in the field. The
of equations. Once the pressures
anathema in acoustics, because Biradial is ideal for large
are obtained they can be propa-
this causes the sound to be rooms with high ceilings,
gated to the observers. Then the
focused into specific directions where the large size is
uniformity of the scattered pres-
determined by the repeat spacing. appropriately scaled.
sures at all observers is evaluated
and the iterative process is The Biradial is suspend-
To solve this problem RPG patent- ed with rigging cables
repeated until a satisfactory
ed (US No. 6,772,859) an innova- attached to integral
shape is obtained. This digital
tive approach entitled “Aperiodic embedded metal loops,
shape is then sent to CNC equip-
tiling of a single asymmetric base which allow the panels
ment to manufacture the shape.
shape”. A 1D example will illus- to also be oriented.
The uneven
scattered sound
from a flat SPLINETM BICUBICTM
canopy at musi-
cians ears on The Spline is a 4’ x 8’ optimized The Bicubic is a GRG optimized
trate. The larger shape is com-
stage, from a source in the center sinusoidal shape available in contour surface providing omnidi-
posed of 5 segments of an asym-
of the stage, is shown at the top GRG and wood. GRG panels are rectional diffusion. It is 4’ x 4’ x 8
metric base shape. The base
8” deep and wood panels are a 1/2”. Light or
shape (blue) is assigned a binary
maximum of 6” deep. Both can be sprinkler holes
zero. It is apparent that this
aperiodically modulated for can be molded
shape is not simply periodically
improved performance. Either into the Bicubic,
repeated, but the second and
panel can be configured for wall as well as any
third segments (red) are rotated
or ceiling mounting applications GRG product.
180 degrees and assigned a bina-
ry one, forming an aperiodic opti-
mal binary sequence. This
sequence of 01100 is not just a
HARMONIXTM GAUSSIANTM
random arrangement of zeros and The Harmonix is a 2’ x 2’ x 4” lay The Gaussian is a shape opti-
ones, but a very special type of in tile version of the Bicubic. It is mized 4’ x 4’’ wall or ceiling
optimal sequence, which guaran- available in GRG and also fire- mounted panel in 6” and 12”
tees that periodicity effects will be rated plastic. depths. The two
minimized and the scattering will The GRG pan- depths can be
be uniform. When combined, els can be paint- aperiodically
shape optimization and aperiodic ed and plastic modulated. It is
modulation guarantee optimal, colors are avail- available only in
uniform scattering. able in quantity. a wood finish.
SHAPE OPTIMIZATION
As architecture evolves, there is a
need for quantitative, contempo-
rary, sound diffusing shapes that
complement modern design in the
same way that the vernacular
forms of relief ornamentation,
columns, statuary, etc. comple-
mented classic architecture. In
1983, RPG introduced the first
contemporary, quantitative sound
diffusing shapes called reflection
phase gratings. They had a very
pronounced form of a series of
divided wells of differing depths
that were based on mathematical
number theory. These were
quickly assimilated into modern
architectural acoustic designs, but
there was a further need for more
generic shapes that architects
could integrate into their designs.
To solve this problem, RPG devel-
oped a powerful iterative software
program (shown schematically
below) that allowed the architect
to suggest a shape motif and the
program would acoustically opti-
mize this shape, while maintaining
the desired motif. This ushered in
a new generation of 1-dimension-
al and 2-dimensional (2D) opti-
mized wall and ceiling shapes.
The desired shape is mathemati-
cally described and segmented
into a mesh with boundary ele-
ments 1/6th the size of the maxi-
and contrasted with the uniform
sound levels scattered from an WAVEFORMTM
optimized overhead canopy.
Without the aid of the Shape
Optimizer, it is almost impossible MONORADIALTM BIRADIALTM
to determine if a given canopy
shape, panel density and orienta- The Monoradial is a 4’ x 8’ simple The Biradial is an 8’ x 8’
tion will provide optimal coverage. convex arc, available in Glass x 6” Glass Fiber
Fiber Reinforced Gypsum (GRG) Reinforced Gypsum
Once the optimal shape is deter- and wood. The depth can be as (GRG) ceiling canopy,
mum wavelength (mesh shown
mined, further improvement can deep as 1” per linear foot. An 8’ which is curved in two
above is for a Waveform Bicubic).
be achieved by avoiding a period- panel can be a max. of 8” deep. directions. It is supplied
Each boundary element is a dif-
ic repetition of the shape, as you Custom GRG sizes are available. in four sections, which
ferential equation and the surface
would see in a wallpaper or floor- are bolted together,
pressures in each element are
ing pattern. While this may be taped, sanded and fin-
obtained by solving the thousands
pleasing to the eye, repetition is ished in the field. The
of equations. Once the pressures
anathema in acoustics, because Biradial is ideal for large
are obtained they can be propa-
this causes the sound to be rooms with high ceilings,
gated to the observers. Then the
focused into specific directions where the large size is
uniformity of the scattered pres-
determined by the repeat spacing. appropriately scaled.
sures at all observers is evaluated
and the iterative process is The Biradial is suspend-
To solve this problem RPG patent- ed with rigging cables
repeated until a satisfactory
ed (US No. 6,772,859) an innova- attached to integral
shape is obtained. This digital
tive approach entitled “Aperiodic embedded metal loops,
shape is then sent to CNC equip-
tiling of a single asymmetric base which allow the panels
ment to manufacture the shape.
shape”. A 1D example will illus- to also be oriented.
The uneven
scattered sound
from a flat SPLINETM BICUBICTM
canopy at musi-
cians ears on The Spline is a 4’ x 8’ optimized The Bicubic is a GRG optimized
trate. The larger shape is com-
stage, from a source in the center sinusoidal shape available in contour surface providing omnidi-
posed of 5 segments of an asym-
of the stage, is shown at the top GRG and wood. GRG panels are rectional diffusion. It is 4’ x 4’ x 8
metric base shape. The base
8” deep and wood panels are a 1/2”. Light or
shape (blue) is assigned a binary
maximum of 6” deep. Both can be sprinkler holes
zero. It is apparent that this
aperiodically modulated for can be molded
shape is not simply periodically
improved performance. Either into the Bicubic,
repeated, but the second and
panel can be configured for wall as well as any
third segments (red) are rotated
or ceiling mounting applications GRG product.
180 degrees and assigned a bina-
ry one, forming an aperiodic opti-
mal binary sequence. This
sequence of 01100 is not just a
HARMONIXTM GAUSSIANTM
random arrangement of zeros and The Harmonix is a 2’ x 2’ x 4” lay The Gaussian is a shape opti-
ones, but a very special type of in tile version of the Bicubic. It is mized 4’ x 4’’ wall or ceiling
optimal sequence, which guaran- available in GRG and also fire- mounted panel in 6” and 12”
tees that periodicity effects will be rated plastic. depths. The two
minimized and the scattering will The GRG pan- depths can be
be uniform. When combined, els can be paint- aperiodically
shape optimization and aperiodic ed and plastic modulated. It is
modulation guarantee optimal, colors are avail- available only in
uniform scattering. able in quantity. a wood finish.