Comparison and simulation-based analysis of the sound field of Dong drum tower buildings

Abstract

Drum towers are the most prominent cultural markers and the major site for cultural ceremonies in Dong villages. The visibility and audibility of drum towers are important factors influencing the location and construction of buildings in Dong villages. In this paper, the authors map and classify 21 drum tower buildings according to three characteristics: shape of the plan, elevation of the enclosure, and aspect ratio of the longitudinal section. Having used the sound field simulation software Odeon to filter two of the three characteristics that were identical, the authors simulated drum towers with different values of the third characteristic to study the factors influencing their sound field.