Sound Insulation: J. Negreira, D. Bard

Sound Insulation
J. NEGREIRA, D. BARD
DIVISION OF ENGINEERING ACOUSTICS, LUND UNIVERSITY
Outline
Introduction
Airborne Sound Insulation
Impact Sound Insulation
Analytical models for calculation of Rw in

single and double-leaf walls
Conclusions
J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

Introduction (I)
• Sound transmission
– Airborne
– Structure-borne
• Transmission paths
– Direct transmission (D)
– Flanking paths (Fi)

Introduction (II)
i Incident wave power
r Reflected wave power
t Transmitted wave power
a Power reduction due to absorption

Introduction (III)
Transmission coefficient:   t i [-]
Absorption coefficient:    a i [-]
Reflection coefficient:    r i [-]
    1
Introduction (IV)
  t i

Outline
Introduction

Conclusions

References
• ISO 140, Acoustics – Measurement of sound insulation in buildings
and of building elements – Part 3: Laboratory measurements of
airborne sound insulation of building elements (1995).
and of building elements – Part 4: Field measurements of airborne
sound insulation between rooms (1998).
and of building elements – Part 5: Field measurements of airborne
sound insulation of facade – elements and facades (1998).
airborne sound insulation of small building elements (1991)
• ISO 717, Acoustics - Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of
buildings elements – Part 1: Airborne sound insulation (1996).

DEF: Reverberation time
• Reverberation time
– Time for sound to decrease 60 dB from initial level
» “Clarity vs. Intensity” compromise
– Not necessarily coincident with listener feeling
– Why 60 dB?
– Values dependent on ussage
» Ex: general auditorium: 1.5 - 2.5 sec.
– Calculation (Sabine’s law)
V V
T60  0.16  0.16
Aeff   i Sii
V: room volume / Aeff: effective absorption area /  i: individual absorption
coefficients / Si: surface of each element with  i
Nomenclature
• R’w : apparent sound reduction index (in-situ measurement)
• Rw : sound reduction index (laboratory measurement)
• C50-3150 : spectrum adaptation term
• Ctr: spectrum adaptation term due to traffic noise
• D’n , D’n,T , D’w etc. sound level differences (see standards)
Statement of results: R’w(C50-3150 ;Ctr) / Rw(C50-3150 ;Ctr)
”Rule of thumb”: Difference between lab and in-situ ~4 dB!

Measurement sound reduction index (I)
LS : SPL in the sending room [dB]

Wall’s reduction index [dB]
LR : SPL in the receiving room [dB] (= transmission loss):
S
S : wall area [m2] R  LS  LR  10 log 
A : Absorption area in receiving room [m2]  A
NOTE: Loudspeaker and microphone positions are defined in the corresponding ISO standard.
Measurement sound reduction index (II)
• Example of measured curve:
‒ High values  Better insulation  ”Quieter”
R [dB]
60
55
50
45
S
R  LS  LR  10 log  40
 A 35
30
25
20
15
63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Frequency [Hz]

ISO Evaluation of sound reduction index (I)
• Reference curve (ISO 717-1)

ISO Evaluation of sound reduction index (II)
“[…] the reference curve is shifted in
steps of 1 dB towards the measured
one, until the sum of the unfavourable
deviations is as large as possible, but
not more than 32 dB*”
“[…] an unfavourable deviation at a

particular frequency occurs when the
result of measurements is less than the
reference value.”
“[…] the value, in dB, of the reference

curve has at 500 Hz, after shifting in
accordance with this procedure, is R’w.”
*for measurements in 16 one-third-octave band. If measurements are performed in 5 octave bands, the sum should not exceed 10 dB.
Airborne sound insulation – example
DEF: Combined reduction index
R1, R2 … individual reduction indexes

S: total area, i.e. S = S1+S2+…
Combined reduction index
1  R1 / 10  R2 / 10 
R  10 log ( S110  S 210  ...) 
S 
DEF: Leakages
• Power of the opening (leakage)

Sl
l  i 
S
• The reduction index of the wall then becomes
 l  t    t Sl 
R  10  log  
  10  log   
 i   i S 
 S 
RwithLeakage  10  log10  R /10  l 
 S

Example: influence of leakages
Sealing of windows is of crucial importance
45
Reduktionstal (dB)
3 mm 30m 3 mm
40
m
35
30
1 25
20
2 Otätat fönster
15
Tätningslist vid 2
10
5 Tätningslist vid 1
och 2
0
1000
2500
1600
100
160
250
400
630
Frekvens (Hz)

Exercises
1.- A 9 m2 facade has a sound reduction index of 60 dB and has installed
a 1,0 m2 double window whose reduction index is 30 dB.
a) What does it mean that the material of the wall has a reduction index
of 60 dB? How much energy does the material let through?
b) Calculate the combined sound reduction index of the facade.
2.- What is the influence of a crack in a wall whose dimensions are 1 mm

in width and 1 m in length in a wall of 2.40 m height and 4 m length? The
sound reduction index of the wall without leakage is 50 dB.
How much the combined sound reduction index would be if the sound
reduction index of the wall would increase up to 60 dB?

Outline
Introduction

Conclusions

References

impact sound insulation of floors (1998).
and of building elements – Part 7: Field measurements of impact
sound insulation of building elements (1998).
• ISO 717, Acoustics - Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of
buildings elements – Part 2: Impact sound insulation (1996).

Nomenclature
• L’n,w : weighed normalised impact sound level, (in-situ)

• Ln,w : weighed normalised impact sound level (laboratory)
• Cl,50-2500 : spectrum adaptation term
Statement of results: L’n,w(Cl,50-2500) / Ln,w(Cl,50-2500)
”Rule of thumb”: Difference between lab and in-situ ~4 dB!

Measurement impact sound insulation (I)
Impact sound level:
 A
Ln  LR  10 log 
 10 
Ln : normalised impact sound level [dB]
LR : SPL in the receiving room [dB]
A : Absorption area in the receiving room
NOTE: Tapping machine and microphone positions

are defined in the pertinent ISO standard.
• ISO Tapping Machine

‒ Standardised: 1 hit per 0.1 s
‒ 5 steel cylinders which alternatively hit the floor

Measurement impact sound insulation (II)
• Example of measured curve:

‒ High values  Higher sound transmission  ” Noisier”
70
60
Ln [dB]
50
40
30
20
10
0
1000
1600
2500
160
400
100
250
630
Frequency [Hz]

ISO Evaluation of impact sound insulation (I)
• Reference curve (ISO 717-2)

ISO Evaluation of impact sound insulation (II)
“[…] the reference curve is shifted in
steps of 1 dB towards the measured
one, until the sum of the unfavourable
deviations is as large as possible, but
not more than 32 dB*.”
“[…] an unfavourable deviation at a

particular frequency occurs when the
result of measurements exceed the
reference value.”
“[…] the value, in dB, of the reference

curve has at 500 Hz, after shifting in
accordance with this procedure, is L’n,w”
*for measurements in 16 one-third-octave band. If measurements are performed in 5 octave bands, the sum should not exceed 10 dB.
Sound classes (Sweden)
• Ljudklass A: the soundclass corresponds to very good
acoustic conditions.
• Ljudklass B: it comprises slightly better acoustic conditions

than soundclass C. Certain individuals can still, in some
cases, be disturbed. This sound class are the minimum
requirements if good living environment is requested.
• Ljudklass C: this is the minimum requirements in Swedish

buildings.
• Ljudklass D: Sound class corresponds noise conditions that

are intended to be applied when sound class C cannot be
achieved, e.g. in connection with the refurbishment.

BBR and SS 25267:2004
Ljudkrav för A B C (D)

bostäder [dB] [dB] [dB] [dB]
Luftljudsisolering 61 57 53 49
Stegljudsnivå 48 52 56 60
Installationsbuller 22/27 26/31 30/35 30/35
Trafikbuller 22/37 26/41 30/45 34/49

*Installation and traffic noise have not been addressed in this lecture. For more information
about how to measure and evaluate, see the correspondent ISO standards

Example from SS 25267:2004 – Sound class C

Outline
Introduction

Conclusions

DEF: Coincidence – critical frequency (I)
• The wavelength of a bending wave λB is dependent on

frequency, bending stiffness and mass density
• When the wavelength of sound in air coincides with the
structural wavelength  Coincidence phenomena
‒ Radiation efficiency becomes very high
‒ Poor insulation
DEF: Coincidence – critical frequency (II)
• Bending wave velocity in a plate
B
cB  2f 4
m
• If f = fc thus cB = co = 340 m/s (fc = critical frequency)
c02 m
fc 
2 B
• Or expressed as a function of the coincidence number
K
fc 
h
NOTE: The condition for coincidence is that λB=λsin(φ). Therefore, if the incidence angle φ
decreases, the coincidence frequency fc increases according to fc (φ)=fc/sin2(φ). The lowest
frequency at which coincidence occur (critical frequency) occurs at the incidence angle φ=90º.
Critical frequency for common materials
Material Coincidence number Thickness [m] fc [Hz]
Concrete 18 160 110

Light concrete 38 70 540
Gypsum 32 10 3200
Steel 12-13 1 12000
Glass 18 3 6000

Outline
Analytical models for calculation of R in

Single-leaf wall Double-leaf wall
Exact method Approximate method

Sound reduction index of single-leaf partitions (I)
• Exact Method
‒ Region I: Stiffness-controlled region (f < f11)
‒ Region II: Mass-controlled region (f11 < f < fc)
‒ Region III: Damping-controlled region (fc< f)

Sound reduction index of single-leaf partitions (II)
• Region I: Stiffness-controlled region (f < f11)
‒ Panel vibrates as a whole (considered thin)
 1 
R  10 log 2   10 log ln 1  K S 2   
 KS 
K S  4f F cF Cs
768(1   2 )
Cs  2
 1 1
 Eh  2  2 
8 3
a b 
Cs: Mechanical compliance for a rectangular plate
E: Young’s modulus of the material the wall is made of
h: wall thickness
  1 1
a, b: plate dimensions f11  cLplate h 2  2 
 : Poisson’s ratio of the wall 4 3 a b 
 F : Density of the surrounding fluid (F), i.e. air
cF wave propagation speed in the fluid (F), i.e. air For a simply supported plate
cLplate wave propagation speed in the plate (longitudinal wave)
Sound reduction index of single-leaf partitions (III)
• Region II: Mass-controlled region (f11 < f < fc)

‒ Transmission loss independent of stiffness (controlled by mass inertia)
‒ Some energy transmitted and part reflected at panel surface
  fm' '  2 
R  10 log1      5dB
   F cF  
 
Mass law >>1
m’’=  h is the surface mass of the panel
NOTE: Although the above equation is valid for frequencies up to fc, it yields only accurate
results for f ≤ 0.5fc . The mathematical expresion around fc is mathematically cumbersome
and rarely used, its being the reason why approximate methods were developed.
Sound reduction index of single-leaf partitions (IV)
• Region III: Damping-controlled region (fc< f)
‒ Curve “dip” controlled by internal material damping
‒ Important for design (low insulation)
 f 
R  R( f c )  10 log( )  33.22 log   5.7 dB
 fc 
  f m' '  2 
R( f c )  10 log1   c  
   F cF  
 
 is the total loss factor or damping of the panel
cF2 3
fc 
hcLplate

Outline


Sound reduction index of single-leaf partitions (I)
• Approximate method
‒ Region I: Mass-controlled region (f < f1)
‒ Region II: “Plateau” (f1 < f < f2)
‒ Region III: Stiffness-controlled region (f2< f)
Hyphotesis: Infinite panel and diffuse field excitation

Sound reduction index of single-leaf partitions (II)
• Region I: Mass-controlled region (f < f1)

‒ Transmission independent of panel stiffness
 c 
Rn  20 logm´´  20 log f   20 log F F   5dB
  

Sound reduction index of single-leaf partitions (III)
• Region II: “Plateau” (f1 < f < f2)

‒ Governed by internal damping
‒ Height of the plateau depends on material
‒ f1 and f2 are the lower and upper limits of the plateau
» Calculated with expresions of adjoining regions

Sound reduction index of single-leaf partitions (IV)
• Region III: Mass-controlled region (f2 < f)

‒ Governed by stiffness of the panel
Rn  R( f 2 )  33.22 log  
f
f2
NOTE: The slope of the expression (10 dB/octave) should just be used
only for the 2 octaves above f2. For the following octaves, one should use
a slope equal to 6 dB/octave, i.e. “20log(f/f2oct)” instead of “33.22log(f/f2)”,
where f2oct is the frequency where the 3rd octave above f2 start.
Outline


Introduction
• Double-leaf wall literature  rather extensive
– Theoretical analysis, less developed due to complexity
– Analyses often carried out using FEM, SEA.
• Several theoretical derivations of sound transmission

– Double-leaf wall without mechanical coupling
– Double walls with structural connections
– …

Sound reduction index of double-leaf walls
 S 
R1  L1  L2  10 log  
 A2    S 
  RDoubleWall  L1  L3  10 log  
 S   A3 
R2  L2  L3  10 log 
 A3 
A 
 RDoubleWall  R1  R2  10 log 2 
 S 
• Approximate empirical model for a double leaf wall without structural

connections, with cavity filled with porous absorber (Sharp 1978)
 RM ; f  f0 c F  1 1 
 f0    
R   R1  R2  20 log( f  d )  29dB ; f0  f  fd 2 d  m1 m2 
 R  R  6dB ; f  f
 1 2 d 55
fd 
d
RM denotes the mass law with M=m1+m2
R1 and R2 denote the individual sound reduction index for each leaf
d: distance between the two leaves i.e. (cavity thickness)
NOTE: Diffuse field assumed in both rooms

Examples (I)
• Improvement in the sound reduction index of a double-leaf wall
respect to a single wall, and also when including insulation in
the cavity.

Examples (II)
• Variation in the sound reduction index of a double-leaf wall
when varying parameters in the cavity (inclusion of insulation
and its thickness).
Reduktionstal [dB]
80 Gipsplatta, 13 mm
R3
70 R2
60
R1 Mineralull
50
R3 = 140 mm mineralull
40 R2 = 30 mm mineralull
30 Rw [dB]
20 R3: 55
10 R2: 49
135 mm
R1: 43
0
Stålreglar c/c 600
50 80 125 200 315 500 800 1250 2000 3150
R1= tomt hålrum mm
frekvens [Hz]

Examples (III)

Examples (IV)

Examples (V)

Examples (VI)
“Rule of thumb”: decoupled structures perform much better

 acoustic bridges eliminated

Outline
Introduction

Conclusions

Conclusions
• ISO procedures (acoustic insulation)

– Airborne sound insulation
– Impact sound insulation
• Analytical calculation methods of reduction sound index

– Single-leaf wall
» Exact method
» Approximate method
– Double-leaf wall
NOTE: Check out the acoustic glossary

Thank you for your attention!
juan.negreira@construction.lth.se

Sound Insulation: J. Negreira, D. Bard

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Sound Insulation

Airborne Sound Insulation

Impact Sound Insulation

Analytical models for calculation of Rw in

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

Transmission coefficient:   t i [-]

Absorption coefficient:    a i [-]

Reflection coefficient:    r i [-]

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

Airborne Sound Insulation

Impact Sound Insulation

Analytical models for calculation of Rw in

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

Statement of results: R’w(C50-3150 ;Ctr) / Rw(C50-3150 ;Ctr)

”Rule of thumb”: Difference between lab and in-situ ~4 dB!

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

LS : SPL in the sending room [dB]

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

“[…] an unfavourable deviation at a

“[…] the value, in dB, of the reference

R1, R2 … individual reduction indexes

Combined reduction index

• Power of the opening (leakage)

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

Sealing of windows is of crucial importance

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

2.- What is the influence of a crack in a wall whose dimensions are 1 mm

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

Airborne Sound Insulation

Impact Sound Insulation

Analytical models for calculation of Rw in

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

• ISO 140, Acoustics – Measurement of sound insulation in buildings

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

• L’n,w : weighed normalised impact sound level, (in-situ)

Statement of results: L’n,w(Cl,50-2500) / Ln,w(Cl,50-2500)

”Rule of thumb”: Difference between lab and in-situ ~4 dB!

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

NOTE: Tapping machine and microphone positions

• ISO Tapping Machine

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

• Example of measured curve:

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

“[…] an unfavourable deviation at a

“[…] the value, in dB, of the reference

• Ljudklass B: it comprises slightly better acoustic conditions

• Ljudklass C: this is the minimum requirements in Swedish

• Ljudklass D: Sound class corresponds noise conditions that

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

Ljudkrav för A B C (D)

Installationsbuller 22/27 26/31 30/35 30/35

Trafikbuller 22/37 26/41 30/45 34/49

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15

Airborne Sound Insulation

Impact Sound Insulation

Analytical models for calculation of Rw in

J. Negreira / Acoustics VTAF05 / 24-Nov-15