Virtual acoustics in heritage buildings: Accuracy degree of acoustic parameters in the simulation of the Basilica "Santa María d Elx

Simulation techniques are widely used in different fields and with diverse objectives. Digital recreation of worship heritage sites is notably interesting for both the architectural value represented and the convenience of preserving the representations or different acts of cultural interest performed in them. In this study a simulation of the Basilica of Santa Maria has been made in the two configurations of use: for the cult and for the representation of the "Misteri d Elx", a medieval play declared a National Monument in 1931 and included in the first Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2001. Acoustic parameters measured in situ following ISO3382 and those obtained from the simulated model are analyzed. This comparison shows that temporal parameters are perfectly simulated and discrepancies between measured and simulated parameters are lower than 1\%, while energy parameters present discrepancies around 20\%. The study proves that to achieve more acoustic similarity between the real and the simulated enclosure, new simulation algorithms should be developed, in order to improve accuracy in parameters that are more influenced by variables such as the location of the source. Also, "in situ" determination of the absorption coefficient of materials would allow to have simulations more adjusted to reality.