Chapter 5 Properties of Sound . . .

Sound Transmission through Walls & Partitions

Source side
Ei
Sound source

receiving side
Et

Wall / Partition

Ei incident acoustic energy density Et transmitted acoustic energy density

Sound Reduction Index (R)

The basic property of a partition which determines its effectiveness as a sound insulator is the sound reduction index / transmission loss. This term is commonly used to describe sound insulation. And it is given by,

1 R 10 log ( ) t
; t transmission coefficient of the partition

Sound Reduction Index (R) . . .

Fraction of the sound energy transmitted, Et t Ei So,
Ei R 10 log ( ) Et

Note: Sound Energy Density The sound intensity of a plane wave, I is the acoustic energy traveling a distance c through unit area for 1 s.

Sound Reduction Index (R) . . .

If E is the acoustic energy density Ex1xC=I E=I/C

Ei R 10 log ( ) Et Ii I t 10 log { } C C Ii 10 log ( ) It

Example
An exterior wall constructed from brick has an area 30 m2. In which there is a glass window 10m2. If the sound reduction indices of brick & glass are 50 dB & 20 dB respectively, calculate the transmission loss of the composite wall.

Answer
For brick, Rb = 10 log (Ii / Ib) 50 = 10 log (Ii / Ib) Ib = 10-5 Ii For glass. Rg = 10 log (Ii / Ig) 20 = 10 log (Ii / Ig) Ig = 10-2 Ii

Answer
For composite partition; R av 10 log (Ii / I av )
I av x 30 I i x 10 x 20 I i x 10 x10
-5 -2

R av 10 log {

Ii

1 -5 -2 x (2 x10 10 ) I i 3 10 log 299.4

Mass Law
The mass law gives the average transmission loss for a diffuse source of sound as a function of the wall surface weight and the frequency. The mass law is only a convenient, rough approximation to the performance of single walls. Sound reduction, R = 20 log ( f m ) 43 ; f frequency of incident sound (Hz) m mass per unit area (kg / m2)

Mass Law . . .
Thus the effectiveness of the sound insulation depends on the frequency and the mass. Single leaf construction includes composite construction such as plastered brickwork, as long as the layers are bonded together (there should be no air gap between the two).

Example
Estimate the increase in R when the mass of the single leaf/partition or frequency is doubled.

Answer
R1 = 20 log ( f m ) 43 R2 = 20 log (2 f m ) 43

Increase in sound reduction, = R2 R1 = 20 log (2) = 6.0206 dB

Mass law . . .
A perfect limp panel (one without any structural stiffness) has an increase in sound reduction of 6 dB for each doubling of mass or frequency.

A normal partition has some stiffness, hence the increase in sound reduction is 5 dB for each doubling of mass or frequency.

Sound Reduction index of a double leaf wall / partition

For simplicity assume both panels have the same mass per unit area, m. Then, R 02 2R 01 20 log (2kd) ; d width of air gap
R01 sound reduction of a single leaf partition given by R01 = 20 log ( f m) 43 k = 2f / C = 2 / C speed of sound in air

Wave Propagation in Solids

There are three main types of waves found in solids, Longitudinal Transverse Bending

Wave Propagation in Solids . . .

Bending waves are flexural waves which can occur along the length of a partition or a plane.

Wall / partition Bending waves produce large deflections in the structure.

Wave Propagation in Solids . . .

The velocities of bending waves (CB) are frequency dependent. For flat plates such as a partition it is given by

CB

1.8 h f CL

Where h thickness of the plate f frequency of the bending wave CL speed of sound in the solid medium

CL

; E Youngs modulus - density

Factors affecting Sound Insulation

The main three factors are, Resonance Coincidence effect Flanking transmission

Resonance
P

x=-a x=a

P a particle of the panel (simple harmonic motion) Natural frequency of the panel

1 f0 T

Resonance . . .
Resonance occurs when the frequency of the incident sound, f = f0 ,(f0 is the natural frequency of the wall)

S f f0 A drop in sound insulation is observed at resonance. Usually the natural frequencies are low. So, resonance affects insulation at low frequencies.

Coincidence Effect
When a plane wave of wave length is incident on a wall or a partition at angles other than 900, their transmission can be amplified by the flexing inwards and outwards of the partition.

Wall / partition

Coincidence Effect . . .
At a certain frequency the amplitude of the bending vibration becomes comparable to the amplitude of incident wave resulting in a decrease in sound insulation. This frequency is called the coincidence frequency. This phenomenon is called the coincidence effect. The coincidence frequency, f is given by C2 f 1.8 h sin 2 E

Coincidence Effect . . .
The lowest frequency at which coincidence occurs is called the Critical Frequency. i.e. when sin = 1
C f 1.8 h
2

At any frequency higher than fc , coincidence will occur. As a result sound reduction index will be reduced.

Example
Estimate the critical frequency of a 120mm thick brick wall. The velocity of sound in brick and air is 2350m/s and 330 m/s respectively.

Factors affecting sound insulation..

Flanking Transmission: This occurs when sound is transmitted from one space to another indirectly, through adjoining parts of the structure.

Factors affecting sound insulation..

Flanking Transmission . . . These indirect paths are called flanking paths. The expected sound insulation is not achieved due to flanking transmission. Successful noise control solutions must address the possibilities of flanking transmission.

Reference book:
Acoustics and noise control
2nd edition B J Smith, R J Peters and S Owen

Practical schedule
3 Practical 2 - Outdoors 1 Industrial visit Assignments: Three (3) in-class assignments, each carry 10 marks. 3 for performance 7 for assignment