1. General information how to start a project and how to build up things
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The first page you will encounter in Acoulatis when you have logged in is to start a new project. We have based Acoulatis on different starting modules depending on what you want to construct. This makes it easier for us to guide the user to not build constructions we do not support in our algorithm, and we can also limit the user to build up constructions that are not recommended for other purposes.
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The modules are first categorised by floors and walls, and then if the main structure is a frame or a massive structure, like concrete or CLT. You can enter a project name before you start a project, but it is not mandatory. You can change it afterwards if you want to save the project.
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By selecting a starting module, you can then select to start from scratch, or to start from a predefined construction that we have made, with the buttons in the right bottom corner of the window.
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When entering a project, you will see the construction in the middle, a construction list to the left, and the results to the right. You can add and remove elements by clicking on the icons in the middle of the screen, in the construction, or by right-clicking on an element in the construction. Please note that we have limited specific combinations which is why some icons will disappear when certain elements have been added.
When an element is selected, you will be able to change the product type, and for generic elements, you can also change the properties (not possible for all manufacturer elements). For frames and cavities, you can also add insulation by clicking on the element and scrolling down on the left side of the screen. Here, you can add a specific product and change the properties of it.
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2. How the calculation model is constructed
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The algorithm in Acoulatis is based on empirical equations combined with characteristic acoustic models. We have developed our own empirical equations based on numerous laboratory measurements in accredited laboratories. These empirical equations are different depending on how you combine the elements. Therefore, we have combinations that are not supported by us, since we do not have an accurate empirical prediction model for it, please read more about that below.
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Together with the empirical equations, we have added corrections for the internal loss factors and the critical frequencies of panels, the resonance frequency of cavities, and the resonance frequency of impact boards for a floating floor system. We have also added corrections depending on the material of the massive structure, since our experience comparing laboratory measurements is that delta values of constructions are different depending on the material they are measured on.
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3. Error: The construction you have built is not supported by us for the moment. See the user guide for more information or contact us.
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If you receive this error message, it means that we do not have an accurate calculation model yet for the type of construction that you are trying to simulate. We always try to back up our models with laboratory measurement data to make sure that the predictions is as accurate as possible, which is why you will sometimes encounter this error message. Please let us know if there is some construction combination that you really want to calculate but cannot calculate right now, and we will see what we can do. If you have some laboratory measurement on it, please send it over to us.
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4. Switch between ISO and ASTM-standards
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In the upper right corner, you can select the profile icon where you can edit if you want to evaluate with ISO-standards or ASTM-standards.
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5. Duplicate a project
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It is possible to duplicate a project by clicking on the second icon to the left, right of the Acoulatis logo. First, you need to save the project you are currently working on, if you have not done it already. Then you can click that button and create a duplicate of the project.
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6. Print the results
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In the icon list to the right of the Acoulatis logotype, you have a button with the text PDF where you can print a report of the project you are working on in Acoulatis as a PDF, including the construction list and all parameters, an image of the construction, and the all the results.
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