Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

For the past years, civil engineering had been largely contributed to the

advancement and development of the modern world. It is one of the oldest engineering

disciplines that pertains to serving both public and private sectors by designing and

planning infrastructures, then putting them in an actual work.

This research aimed to lessen unwanted impact of sound in buildings using

sponge gourd fibers with polyester resin. To reduce the effect of noise to people is to

increase physical ease and comfort. Since noise has been considered as workplace hazard,

having a definition as an unwanted or unpleasant sound, the researchers came up with

this study that aims to minimize noise formed in the building. According to Blomberg

(2014), the 20th century in the history of the world is the noisiest century that results to

the greatest loss of natural quiet compared to the past centuries. The researcher also

stated that noise is closely associated with health effects attributing to heart-related deaths

in Europe of as much as 2%.

With these, the researchers had a clear vision to reduce the risk caused by noise.

The study was conducted to develop a possible solution to the growing phenomenon

which is noise pollution. The proponents looked forward in contributing to the

civilization as well as to the usefulness of proposed structures using the world’s readily

available resources such as sponge gourd.

Background of the Study

Sound has been part of everyone’s lives, awakening one of the five physical

senses. Most of the people in the world became very used to what they hear every day,

like the sound produced by appliances, music, traffic and other people around them.

However, every extreme trait is not healthy. Sound is becoming noise, and noise

suddenly turns into noise pollution (United States Environment Agency, 2018).

Many people misconceive the words sound reduction, absorption, proofing and

diffusion. Although all of these are room treatments that are done for the betterment and

comfort inside an area, these four have a large differences with each other. The term

sound reduction refers to lessening the impact of sound in terms of the amplitude. On the

other hand, sound absorption is the process of absorbing unwanted noise within a noise

and in which sound waves are soaked up and taken by surfaces. The term sound proofing

refers to preventing the passage of the sound upon entering or leaving the room

(Audimute, 2017). Next is sound diffusion that is defined as the process of improving the

quality of sound in terms of scattering of sound waves. Moreover, it is done through

putting shapes and forms on the surfaces.

The researchers decided to make acoustic panels for it is the best process to make

the quality of sound better considering what happens inside the room at the same time the

lessening of the impact of sound outside it.

The study was focused on making acoustic panels and to test their effectiveness

through a low-cost experimental setup that was employed in the past studies.

Furthermore, the study tested different sound profiles and determine which form was the

best in reducing the amplitude and frequency of sound heard inside rooms.
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Sound diffusers are not usually studied in the Philippines. This study will be a

great contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the country as well as being

internationally competitive in terms of acoustics.

This research was conducted to lessen the noise by placing sponge gourd fiber

acoustic panels bind with polyester resin. The study tested the significant difference of

the frequency response graphs of sound after having these fiber panels in different

profiles. With these, the researchers aimed to help minimize noise.

Objectives of the Study

This study determined the effectiveness of the proposed acoustic panels made of

sponge gourd fiber and polyester resin with different profiles in diffusing sound.

The following specific objectives were considered:

1. To make sponge gourd fiber with polyester resin acoustic panels with different

profiles:

1.1. Flat Surface

1.2. Wedge-shaped Panels

1.3. Concave-shaped Panels

2. To determine the density of the acoustic panels.

3. To calculate the frequency response graph in the room after placing the acoustic

panels with different sound profiles.

4. To determine which sound profile is the best as an acoustic panel.

Statement of the Problem

This research was conceptualized to make and test acoustic panels with different

profiles made of sponge gourd fiber and polyester resin in terms frequency response

graph measured after placing them.

Specifically, the study aimed to answer the following questions:

1. What are the densities of the acoustic panels with different profiles such as:

1.1. Flat Surface

1.2. Wedge-shaped Panels

1.3. Concave-shaped Panels

2. What are the frequency response graphs of the sound in the room after placing the

acoustic panels with different sound profiles?

3. Is there significant difference in the frequency response graphs of sound inside the

room after placing the acoustic panels (flat, wedge-shaped and concave-shaped)?

Hypothesis

Alternative Hypothesis (HA)

There is a significant effect in frequency response graphs of sound inside the

room after placing the acoustic panels with different sound profiles.

Null Hypothesis (Ho)

There is a significant effect in frequency response graphs of sound inside the

room after placing the acoustic panels with different sound profiles.
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Significance of the Study

The study was conducted to benefit the following:

Civil and Structural Engineers. The study was conducted to add to the body of

knowledge concerning building of structures. In the future, the conclusions of this

research will be a great help in terms of actualizing a healthier and improved

infrastructures.

Economy. The result of the research can help save the industry from expenses caused

by other common materials of acoustic panels such as fabrics and foams.

Environment. Since the cheapest material when making acoustic panels are wood, this

can contribute in addressing the problem with the decreasing limited resources in the

world. Since green buildings are starting to be a must nowadays, fiber from crops and

vegetables can be introduced as an alternative in variety of wood-based products.

Health. One study observed and concluded that 20th century in the history of the

world is the noisiest century that results to the greatest loss of natural quiet compared to

the past centuries. It is also proven that noise is closely associated with health effects

attributing heart-related deaths in Europe of as much as 2%. With these, the researches

wanted to minimize the risk caused by noise pollution.

Future Researchers. This study may contribute to engineering knowledge. Also, it can

serve as a related study in case the future researchers will chose to study the related topic

as well.
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Scope and Delimitation

The study was focused on determining if there is a significant difference in the

amplitude and frequency caused by the different shapes of sponge gourd (luffa

aegyptiaca) fiber with polyester resin as acoustic panels in a low-cost experimental setup.

The study used a laptop, cellular phones, speaker and other objects needed for the

setup. The sound produced was 1000 Hertz (common in using Room EQ Wizard)

produced by an application and 85 dB that was measured by a decibel meter. The

experimentation was done in a large, untreated room with a volume of 45.8 cubic meters.

This was conducted Basud, Camarines Norte at approximately 11:30 P. M. to 12:30 A.

M., after ensuring that no other unexpected noises can interrupt the testing.

The study was limited to determining the graph of amplitude and frequency of

sponge gourd fiber with polyester resin panels considering different sound profiles.

Moreover, the panels were only made by the researchers following one of the commercial

sizes of acoustic panels. Also, the study followed one of simple experimental setup which

used in the past study and the results were analysed by a software called Room EQ

Wizard. This was only focused on how panels made by the researchers affect the

frequency response graphs of sound inside the room.

Moreover, the researchers had an input of a constant sound with constant

frequency and amplitude, constant experimentation setup, a constant position of the

output of sound and measuring devices, three sound profiles, two raw materials and

varying densities of panels with acceptable precision.

Definition of Terms

The following terms mentioned in the study were operationally defined.

Amplitude. The amplitude of sound was pertained as the loudness of sound (decibels)

and it was measured because of the maximum displacement or fluctuation of a sound

wave from the average value. This is one of the components in the dependent variable.

Density. This pertained to the mass divided by the unit volume of the sponge gourd

fiber with polyester resin acoustic panels.

Decibel (dB). This was the unit used for quantifying the amount of pressure level.

Experimentation Room. The experimentation room was 45.8 cubic meters in lined

with the standard dimensions of a testing room defined in the software Room EQ Wizard.

Fibers. These are the fibers from the matured sponge gourd (luffa aegyptiaca).

Frequency. The study defined frequency as one of the component of the graphical

representation of the effect of noise after placing acoustic panels.

Frequency Response Graph. In this study, this graph was calculated using a software

and the result served as the dependent variable.

Heat Curing. This was the process that pertains to accelerating the time for the resin to

harden.

Polyester Resin. This served as the adhesive for binding the sponge gourd fiber panels.

Profiles. In this study, the term profile referred to the visual representation of the

panels’ geometrical patterns, shapes and forms.

Sponge Gourd. Its fiber was used to make diffusing panels.

Sound Diffusion. This was defined as spreading out sound energy by means of a

diffusor.

Test Specimen. The test samples in the study were the sponge gourd fiber with

polyester resin made as diffusing panel.

Endnotes

Audimute. (2017). Sound Absorption vs. Sound Proofing. Retrieved from

www.audimute.com

Blomberg, L. (2014). Noise Pollution in the 21st Century. Retrieved from

exploresound.org

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2019). Civil Engineers. Retrieved from bls.gov

Conserve Energy Future. (n. d.). Understanding Noise Pollution. Retrieved from

www.conserve-energy-future.com

Folley, D. (2014). The Sound Diffuser Material Options I Recommend. Retrieved from

www.acousticfields.com

How to Specify: Acoustic Panels. (n. d.) Retrieved from architizer.com

Mullenweg, M. (2015). The Benefits of Sponge Gourd. Retrieved from www.google.com

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2018). Clean Air Act Title IV - Noise

Pollution. Retrieved from epa.gov/

What is Amplitude? Definition of Amplitude in the terms of Sound. (n. d. ). Retrieved

from www.sengpielaudio.com