1 Building Construction

Sound Insulation

Anything that can be heard is a sound. All sounds are produced by a vibrating object which
moves rapidly to and fro causing movements of tiny air particles surrounding the vibrating
source. The displaced air particles collide with the adjacent particles setting them in motion.
The air particles move to and fro until some distance from the source and the movement slows
down and stops so that the sound produced is inaudible.

Continuous to and fro motion follows pattern of compression and rarefaction of layers. This is
called wave motion of sound. As this compression and rarefaction requires some medium and
thus wave motion of sound cannot transfer travel through vacuum. A medium is required for a
sound to travel some distance and they are solid, liquid.

The average maximum distance of a particle from its mean position is called amplitude.
1/100mm amplitude is not audible while 1/10mm amplitude is quite a loud sound. The distance
covered by a sound to complete one full cycle is called wavelength and is denoted as ‘λ’. The
total number of cycles per second is called frequency.
Velocity of sound in different mediums.
S. no. Medium Sound velocity (m/s)
1 Air 345
2 Water 1480
3 Stone and brick wall 3900
4 Timber
a. Along fibers 4000
b. Across fibers 1500
5 Steel 5000

Sound can differ in two ways: Loudness and pitch.

The loudness of sound depends on the distance through which the vibrating object moves to
and fro as it vibrates, the greater the movement the louder the sound. The loudness with which
the sound is heard depends upon the distance between the receiver and the source. The unit
subjective of sound is phone and the objective unit is decibel (dB). Hearing decibel is between
10-130, after which it is painful. Pitch of a sound depends on the vibrating object. Higher the

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frequency, higher would be the pitch. The lowest pitch human ear can hear is 16 hertz and
highest is 20000 hertz.

Sound produced in a building, results three actions:

1. The pressure of sound waves can come into contact with the walls, floors and ceiling
and reflected back into the building.
2. Some of the sound can be absorbed by these surfaces or furnishes. Sound absorption
normally benefits the occupants of the room in which the sound is generated.
3. The sound waves upon reaching the walls, floors and ceiling can set these members to
vibrate in unison to thus transmit the sound to adjacent room.

Classification of sound:

Depending upon the position of the source, sound can be broadly divided in two classes:
i. Air borne Sound
ii. Impact Sound

i. Airborne sound
Transmits through air and travels directly to the receiver. This type of sound travels from
one part of building or from outside through open doors, windows or other openings or
small gaps around doors and windows. Eg. Radio, Conversation etc.

ii. Impact Sound

The sound, which is transmitted first through structure, is called impact sound. Noise of
footsteps, hammering, furniture movements, dropping of utensils on floor etc. Impact
sounds are troublesome and often are very sharp.

Noise:

Noise is defined as undesired sound and may have any of the following effects:

• Annoyance- irritation

• Disturbance of sleep

• Interfere with the ability to hold a normal conversation

• Damage to hearing

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It is difficult to measure annoyance as it is a subjective attitude and depends on the mental and
physical well being of the listener. Damage to hearing can be caused by sudden noise such as
loud explosion.

Magnitude of noise level from sources:

S.No. Types of sources of sound Noise level in dB
1. Light Road Traffic 60-70
2. Medium Road Traffic 70-80
3. Heavy Road Traffic 80-90
4. Rail Traffic 90-100
5. Air Rail 110-130

General considerations for noise control/sound insulation are:

1. Isolate the source in order to insulate against air borne sound.

2. Orientation of residential buildings – no doors and windows open to noisy roads.
3. Proper planning of the room.
4. Provision of furnishing materials and lining of walls and ceiling by means of air filled
materials (felts, glass wool etc.) help to reduce noise.
5. Transmission of noise by vibration can be reduced
Acoustics:

Acoustics in building design is a science of sound and noise control. One must combine its
architectural beauty with the acoustical sprit. This assures the optimum conditions for
producing and listening to conversation, speech, music etc.

Defects Due to Reflected Sound:

The behavior of the reflected sound plays an important role in sound insulation or acoustical
design of a room/hall. The main defects caused by reflected sound waves are:
i. Echoes
ii. Reverberation

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4 Building Construction

Echoes

When a reflecting surface is so far away from the source that the sound reflected back as a
distinct repetition of the directed sound, the reflected sound is called echo. Echoes are
produced, when the time interval between direct and reflected sound is about 1/15th of a
second. This defect is particularly common when the reflecting surface is curved in shape
where the reflected sounds concentrate in foci.

Reverberation

Sound generated in a hall doesn’t die immediately after the source has ceased to produce it. It
keeps on lingering for some time by reflecting from surface to surface and losing a part of
energy at every impact (converted into heat energy or absorbed by walls). This prolongation of
sound before it decays to a negligible intensity is called reverberation. A certain amount of
reverberation is necessary to enhance the sound. However, excess is damaging to clarity.

Reverberation time:
It is the time taken by the sound energy to decay by 60dB, after the sound source has stopped.
The reverberation time depends on volume of the source and absorption of the room.
The reverberation time according to Sabine’s formula is calculated as follows:

t = 0.16V = 0.16V
S α1s1+α2s2+α3s3
Where,
t = Time of reverberation
V = Volume of room, m3
S = Total absorption
α1, α2, α3,…… = absorption coefficient of various materials
s1, s2, s3, ….. =area of absorbing surface
Time of reverberation plays a signification role in achieving desired acoustical condition. If the
time of reverberation is too long, it results in overlapping of speech and loss of intelligibility, and
if it is too short, it produces the effect of deadness and loss of brilliance of sound.

t > 3secs. - Bad

3 > t > 2 secs. - Fairly good

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5 Building Construction

2 > t > ½ secs. - Very good

Time of reverberation varies with the purpose of enclose and the selection of correct time of
reverberation is called optimal time of reverberation.

The solution to noise or sound problem is therefore should be considered. The approach to
solving this problem may be as follows:

1. Reduce the noise emitted at the source by mounting machinery in resilient pads etc.

2. Provide a reasonable degree of sound insulation to reduce the amount of sound

transmitted.

3. Isolate the source and the receiver.

S No. Description of building Optimum reverberation (sec)

1 Cinema theatres 1.3
2 Churches 1.8-3
3 Law courts, committee rooms, conference halls 1-1.5
4 Large halls 2-3
5 Music concert halls 1.6-2
6 Parliament halls, assembly hall 1-1.5
7 Public lecture hall 1.5-2

Sound absorbent:

The loss of sound energy is because of its conversion to heat due to frictional resistance inside
the pores of the material. Broadly speaking, the material having hard, rigid and on-porous
surface provide the least absorption, whereas those, which are flexible, soft, porous and can
vibrate, absorbs more sound. The term used to express the percentage of incident sound
absorbed by a material is known as absorption coefficient of the material. If the absorption
coefficient of a material is 0.75 then it means that the material is capable to absorb 75% of the
incident sound. Absorption coefficient differs with the frequency of incident sound. In general,
low-density materials have higher absorption coefficient at higher frequency than at low
frequency.

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6 Building Construction

Classification of Absorbents

Sound absorbents can be broadly classified into following four categories:

i. Porous absorbents

ii. Resonant absorbents

iii. Cavity resonators

iv. Composite types of absorbents.

Porous absorbents
They are soft materials having large pores. The sound wave on striking the surface partly get
reflected while the part enters the pores of the material and is thought to be converted into heat
energy (produced due to friction). The efficiency of these absorbents increases with the
increase of porosity, the resistances to air flow through the material and its thickness. These
types of absorbents are generally used to absorb high frequency sound waves. Examples: Slag
wool, glass wool, wood wool, asbestos fiber spray, and foamed plastic and perforated
fiberboard.

Panel Resonant absorbents

Semi-hard materials in the form of steel
porous fiberboards, which acts as, sound
absorbents as well as building panels. These
are fixed on a timber framework with an air
gap between this material and wall backing.
The principle of sound absorption is that the
pressure of sound waves of the appropriate
frequency cause sympathetic vibrations in
the panels and the absorption is obtained by
damping this vibration by means of an air space acting as diaphragms. Damping in such cases
can be improved by placing a porous material in the air space. Generally these are effective for
low frequency sound.

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7 Building Construction

Cavity Resonators

Cavity resonators consist of a chamber with

a narrow opening (entrance) in which
absorption takes place by resonance of air
in the chamber which gives loss to energy.
Such an arrangement can be effective over one selected frequency such as from individual
machines, air conditioning plant etc.

Composite types of absorbents

These absorbents combine the function of
all three types described above. They
consist of a perforated panel fixed over an
air space containing porous absorbents. The
panels are from metal, plywood, hard board,
plaster board etc. The area of the holes in
the panels should vary between 10-20% of
the total area of the panel. Mineral wood,
glass wool are commonly used for porous
material and it should be placed behind the
perforated panel for its maximum efficiency.
These types of absorbents are commonly
used as it is easy to install, economical, and
it can accommodate wide range of
frequencies.

External noise
One of the aspects of a building design should be the insulation against external noise. The
main barrier to the external noise is provided by the shell or the envelop of the building, the
three main factors of this being:

1. Mass of the enclosing structure

2. The continuity of the structure

3. Isolation by double leaf construction when using lightweight materials.

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8 Building Construction

Generally the main problem for the insulation against external noise is windows particularly if
these can be opened for ventilation purposes. Windows cannot provide dual function of
ventilation and sound insulation since the admission of air also admits noise.

Description Sound reduction (dB)

Any type of open window 10
Traditional cavity wall 45-50
Closed but single glazing 20

Sound insulation can be greatly improved if the double-glazing window is provided with certain
characteristics:

1. Sound insulation increases with the distance between the glazing units. For reduction of
40 dB, air gap of 150-200mm is required.

2. If the double-glazing is open able then is should be weather-stripped.

3. Sound insulation increases with the thickness of glass specially when fixed windows.

Sound Insulation of a Building:

Control of noise transmission is essential to minimize the disturbance effect of sound passing
from one room to another, through walls, partitions, floors or ceilings. Good planning in respect
of location of the building as well as quiet and noisy areas in the building itself, plays an
important role in controlling the noise transmission.

Constructional measures
1. Walls / Partitions
2. Floors / Ceiling
3. Windows and Doors
4. Insulating Sanitary Fittings
5. Machine Mounting and Insulation of machinery

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1. Wall Construction
The sound insulation rating of a wall is generally governed by the net sound transmission loss it
provides and also the efficiency with which it serves as a barrier for speed sound. Wall
construction for sound insulation can be divided into following categories:
a. Rigid and massive homogenous partitions
b. Hollow and composite partition/ double wall

a. Rigid and massive homogenous partitions

Weight of the wall is a governing factor in wall insulation. Sound insulation properties increases
with the increase in thickness of the wall but the rate of increase in insulation is less. A solid
one brick thick wall plastered on both side, proves quite effective as a sound insulation partition
wall. It has an average reduction of 50dB. So it is uneconomical to increase the thickness of the
beyond certain limits. Hard reflecting outside of the partition wall helps in increasing the sound.
SNo. Type of construction Average transmission loss (dB)
1 One brick thick wall 50
2 One and half brick thick wall 53
3 Cavity wall each of ½ brick thick and 5cm cavity 50-53
4 Cavity wall each 10cm thk. clinker block with 5cm 50
cavity
5 ½ brick wall with 13mm plaster on both sides 45
6 20mm thick hollow dense concrete block with 13mm 45
plaster
7 Gypsum wall board partition wall on timber frames 45
8 75mm thick hollow clay block wall with 13mm thick 36
plaster on both sides

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b. Hollow and composite partition/ double wall

It is also possible to achieve high insulation value by the suitable combination of materials,
which are light in weight. A cavity wall construction with a cavity filled by some resilient
materials is best for increasing the insulation value or sound proofing of rooms. Minimum
connecting ties of flexible nature should be used. The cavity in this type of construction should
be at least of 50mm.

Panel
Celotex or other insulating board

Brick masonry

Quilt Insulating quilt

Stud

Carpet of linoleum flooring

Flooring
Sand
Concrete sub grade

CAVITY WALL CONSTRUCTION

2. Floors and Ceilings

These act as a horizontal barrier to noise in the both air-borne and impact sounds in most of
the cases. If the ceiling and floor construction is of solid type like RCC floors, they offer
adequate insulation against air-borne sounds because of rigid and heavy construction but offer
poor insulation for structure borne or impact sounds. Structure borne sounds are transmitted
more easily through such floors as they are directly in contact with sound producing sources.

In such cases following methods can be adopted to control the noise.

1. Use of resilient surface material on floors

2. Providing a floating floor construction

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1. Use of resilient surface material on floors

In this method, over the massive rigid

construction of floor slabs a surface
layer of resilient materials such as
linoleum, insulation board, cork,
asphalt mastic and carpet etc. are
used. Insulation against impact noises can be obtained to an extent to 5-10dB over a bare
concrete floor. Softer the material used greater would be the insulation value.

Providing a floating floor construction

The principle underlying the construction of a floating floor is its insulation from any other part
of structure. A floating floor is made to rest or float over the existing floor by means of a resilient
material like glass wool, material wool, quilt, hair felt, cork, rubber etc. so that the impact
sounds and consequent vibrations are not transmitted to the room below. It also improves
insulation against air-borne sounds. Floating floor construction can be adopted for both
concrete as well as wooden floor.

On concrete floors, the resilient layer on which the floating floor is intended to rest, is turned up
at all edges at walls/partitions etc. The partition is required to be constructed off the structural
floor so that the floating floor or screed is independent with each room.

a. Concrete floor with Floating Concrete Screed

This consist of concrete screed (1:1 ½: 3) not less than 50mm in thickness and resting on a
resilient layer of mineral wood quilt laid over the structural floor slab and turned up against the
surrounding walls at all the edges. The quilt is covered with a waterproof paper to prevent wet
concrete running through it.

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Floor finish
Screeding
Wire mesh
Resilient layer
Floor slab

CONCRETE FLOOR WITH FLOATING CONCRETE SCREED

b. Concrete floor with a floating wooden raft

This consists of floor boarding nailed to wooden battens (50mmX50mm) to form a raft, which is
laid over 20mm thick resilient quilt.

Wooden floor
Wooden battens (50X50)
Resilient layer
Floor slab

CONCRETE FLOOR WITH FLOATING WOODEN RAFT

c. Concrete floor with a suspended ceiling and soft floor finish or covering

The use of suspended ceiling provides insulation against air-borne around and soft floor finish
of resilient covering such carpet, cork or linoleum etc. if sufficiently thick, provides insulation
against impact sounds too.

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13 Building Construction

Floor finish
Screeding
Floor slab

Battens
Absorbent quilt
Plaster on expanded metal lathing

CONCRETE FLOOR WITH SUSPENDED

CEILING AND SOFT FLOOR FINISH

d. Concrete flooring with light weight concrete screed and soft floor (resilient) finish or covering.

This type has a 50mm thick lightweight concrete screed, which gives a certain amount of
insulation against air-borne sound, but in addition the use of resilient floor finish gives a high
insulation against both air-borne and impact sounds. The use of dense topping is because:

- Provides a suitable base for floor finish.

- Provides an impervious airtight layer sealing the top of the lightweight screed.

Floor finish
Dense topping
Screed

Floor slab

CONCRETE FLOOR WITH LIGHT WEIGHT

CONCRETE SCREED AND SOFT FLOOR

e. Heavy concrete floor with soft floor (resilient) finish or covering

The heavy concrete floor gives adequate insulation against air borne sound whereas soft floor
finish of a resilient material: thick carpets, under felt, thick, quilt or soft rubber linoleum etc. offer
insulation against structure borne or impact sounds.

Lecturer: Ar. Pratibha Manandhar

14 Building Construction

Floor finish
Screed

Floor slab

HEAVY CONCRETE FLOOR WITH

SOFT (RESILIENT) FINISH

Providing wooden floors

In floor constructed of wooden joists, the problem of sound insulation becomes difficult
particularly in the presence of heavy mechanical impact sounds. This problem doesn’t occur in
case of concrete floors, since the concrete floors are considered heavy, rigid and stiff enough
to sustain the vibrations of the walls due to impact sounds.
This problem in timber floor can be reduced by making the walls below the floor thicker enough
or making the floor itself heavy and stiff to reduce the vibration of walls.

1. When supporting walls are 100mm or less

A ceiling of expanded metal and 3 coats plaster loaded directly with plugging of 50mm of dry
sand (supported by ceiling) and properly constructed in satisfactory. The floating floor consists
of floorboards nailed to the battens to form a raft rest on resilient quilt arranged over wooden
joists. The whole raft should be isolated from the surrounding walls either by turning up the
resilient quilt at the edges or by leaving a gap around the edges to be covered by skirting. This
is done to dampen the sound effect.

Floating floor of board on battens

Wooden battens
Resilient layer
Sand pugging
Plaster on expanded metal lathing

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2. When supporting walls are 200mm or less

This consists of a plaster board ceiling with plaster finish directly loaded with plugging of slag-
wool or mineral wool.

Floating floor of board on battens

Wooden battens
Resilient layer
Slag wool pugging
Plaster board with plaster finish

3. Use of suspended ceiling with air space

An independent false ceiling is constructed and

is connected below the solid or wooden floor by
means of hangers, acoustics clips etc. with an
air space in between. The construction offers
good insulation against both air-borne as well
as structure borne sounds.

3. Windows and doors

• Filling the air space at the edges of such panes with sound absorbing material.
• Increase in the thickness of glass.
• Glazed windows with double panel of glass. The air space between the two glazing
panes is to be 150 - 200mm.
• Such windows are especially useful for sound-proofing of rooms such as broadcasting,
studios, etc.

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16 Building Construction

4. Insulating Sanitary Fittings

• The pan should be made to rest upon a thin pad of felt, linoleum, cork, rubber or other
suitable resilient materials.
• Cisterns should not be fixed direct to a wall and should be fixed upon insulators fixed to
the brackets.
• The pipes should be properly wrapped, where they pass through walls or floors and be
held in insulated clips.

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17 Building Construction

5. Machine Mounting and Insulation of machinery

To reduce this structure-borne sound machine should be insulated by resting them on resilient
supports or mountings such as springs, rubber, cork, etc.

Lecturer: Ar. Pratibha Manandhar