Engineering Acoustics Lecture 9
Engineering Acoustics Lecture 9
Engineering Acoustics Lecture 9
Source side
Ei
Sound source
receiving side
Et
Wall / Partition
1 R 10 log ( ) t
; t transmission coefficient of the partition
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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