SAE TECHNICAL PAPER SERIES

2007-01-2194

Random Incidence Sound Absorption Measurement of Automotive Seats in Small Size Reverberation Rooms
Jian Pan
Rieter Automotive North America

Pranab Saha
Kolano and Saha Engineers, Inc.

Jerry R. Veen
Johnson Controls, Inc.

Noise and Vibration Conference and Exhibition St. Charles, Illinois May 15-17, 2007
400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001 U.S.A. Tel: (724) 776-4841 Fax: (724) 776-0790 Web: www.sae.org

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2007-01-2194

Random Incidence Sound Absorption Measurement of Automotive Seats in Small Size Reverberation Rooms
Jian Pan
Rieter Automotive North America

Pranab Saha
Kolano and Saha Engineers, Inc.

Jerry R. Veen
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Copyright 2007 SAE International

ABSTRACT
Random incidence sound absorption measurements of automotive components such as floor carpets, seats, headliners and hoodliners are important during the design and development of noise control treatments in a vehicle. Small volume reverberation rooms [1] 1 have been widely used in practice to determine the absorption properties of those components. The SAE Acoustical Materials Committee has organized a task force to develop a standard procedure for measuring random incidence sound absorption properties of flat samples, as well as automotive components in small reverberation rooms. Statistical analysis and correlation study between large reverberation rooms and small reverberation rooms of flat samples using data acquired from a recent round robin study were reported in SAE Paper 2005-01-2284 [2, 3]. Based on data acquired in the same round robin tests, this paper investigates the measurement precision of random incidence sound absorption measurements of automotive seats using small reverberation rooms.

case are geared toward architectural acoustics where the samples are much larger in size than they are in the automotive industry. The ASTM C423 standard requires minimum 5.57 m2 and the ISO 354 standard requires minimum 10 m2 size samples. In the automotive industry including passenger cars, heavy trucks, off-highway vehicles, and construction vehicles, the absorptive 2 components are of a much smaller size than 5.57 m . Also, the samples that are used in these cases are typically not thick enough to provide any significant absorptive properties below 300 400 Hz. Combining the size of the sample and the frequency range of interest for automotive and related applications, it has been felt for quite sometime that a small sample test chamber [1] will be better suited for absorption measurements. The SAE Acoustics Material Committee has organized a task force chartered with developing a standard for random incidence sound absorption tests that will be appropriate for testing small samples in a smaller reverberation room than what is specified in the ASTM and ISO standards. The task force has conducted extensive round robin tests with both flat samples and automotive seats for this purpose. The results for the flat samples based on measurements conducted in various laboratories with different size reverberation rooms indicate that the precision (repeatability and reproducibility) for small reverberation room absorption tests is comparable to or better than the precision for large reverberation room measurements [2, 3]. Statistical analyses are performed in this paper to determine the precision of random incidence sound absorption measurements of automotive seats using small reverberation rooms based on data acquired in the same round robin tests.

INTRODUCTION
Automotive components such as floor carpets, seats, headliners, hoodliners, etc. are important sources of sound absorption contributing to noise reduction inside vehicles. The correct measurement of the sound absorption properties of those components is of great importance in understanding and designing noise control treatments in vehicles. Currently, the random incidence sound absorption property of an absorptive material is measured following ASTM C423 [4], ISO 354 [5], and/or similar standards. The ASTM and ISO standards in this
1

Numbers in brackets [ ] designate references at the end of this paper.

dimension of approximate 0.28 m high, 0.53 m long, and 0.46 m wide.

ROUND ROBIN TESTS FOR SEATS

Four cloth-covered automotive seats labeled C3, C5, C6, C7 were tested in 25 various sizes of reverberation rooms as shown in Table 1: eight large rooms with volumes 3 greater than 180 m , four mid size rooms with volumes between 16 and 36 m3, and thirteen small rooms. Two out 3 of the thirteen small rooms have about 9 m of volume, and the remaining eleven small rooms are Alpha Cabins [6] manufactured by Rieter Automotive Systems with 6.4 m3 of volume.
Lab # L2** L4** L7 L13 L15** L23** L26 L27 L1 L6 L14** L17** L16** L24 L3 L5 L8 L9** L10 L18 L19 L20 L21 L22 L28 Description Large Room Large Room Large Room Large Room Large Room Large Room Large Room Large Room Mid Size Room Mid Size Room Mid Size Room Mid Size Room Small Room Small Room Small Room* Small Room* Small Room* Small Room* Small Room* Small Room* Small Room* Small Room* Small Room* Small Room* Small Room* Room Volume (m3) 340.0 200.0 230.0 212.0 288.0 183.7 213.3 205.0 16.4 26.0 26.0 36.0 9.0 9.7 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.4

Absorption measurements of seats were conducted according to ASTM C423 [4] with the exception of reverberation room volume, sample size and sample position. The seats were pre-conditioned for 24 hours to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of the reverberation room in each laboratory prior to testing. As shown in Table 2, one seat, two seats and four seats were tested in large rooms; one seat and two seats were tested in mid size rooms; and the four seats were tested individually in small size rooms. Each test was repeated three times with the seat or seat group placed at three different positions: P1, P2 and P3 described in Figure 2. All four seats were put in the upright position for every test with headrests pushed down to eliminate variation in sample preparation.
4 seats - tested in large rooms 2 seats - tested in large and mid size rooms 1 seat - tested in large, mid size and small rooms
Seats C3 + C6 + C5 + C7 - P1 Seats C3 + C6 + C5 + C7 - P2 Seats C3 + C6 + C5 + C7 - P3 Seats C3 + C6 - P1 Seats C3 + C6 - P2 Seats C3 + C6 - P3 Seat C3-P1 Seat C6-P1 Seat C5-P1 Seat C7-P1 Seats C5 + C7 - P1 Seats C5 + C7 - P2 Seats C5 + C7 - P3 Seat C3-P3 Seat C6-P3 Seat C5-P3 Seat C7-P3

Seat C3-P2 Seat C6-P2 Seat C5-P2 Seat C7-P2

Table 2. Round Robin Test Matrix for Seats: Three Positions P1, P2 and P3 for Each Test

* Alpha Cabin ** Did not complete all tests

Table 1. Participating Reverberation Room Description The four seats tested are representative of typical automotive seats in size and construction. There are two different kinds of cover cloth, 2 seats (C3C6 and C5C7) in each type (Figure 1). One is slightly more permeable than the other, so there is a slight difference in absorption. The absorptive surface area of each seat (cloth covered area) is about 0.86 m2, not including the plastic cover in the back of the seat. Each seat has boxed Figure 1. Two Types of Seats Used in the Study

Testing one seat:

C3 C3 C3

Shaded box indicates normal sample test area inside reverberation room

The within-laboratory consistency statistic k is a ratio of within-lab variation of an individual laboratory to the overall level of variations of all laboratories. The following section discusses the analysis results of the seat absorption measurements for one seat, two seats and four seats configurations. It should be noted that some of the laboratories did not complete all the tests as indicated in Table 1, and analyses are performed based on available data from all participating laboratories.

P1 P2 Testing two seats:

C6 C6 C3 C3

P3
C3

C6

P1 P2 Testing four seats:

C7 C5 C6 C3 C7 C6 C3 C5

P3
C6 C3 C7 C5

Seat back location indicated by dark line

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
INDIVIDUAL SEAT DATA Within-laboratory consistency statistic k for seat C3 measured in small rooms is shown in Figure 3. Note that the k-statistic for L3 is consistently higher than other laboratories, and exceeds the critical value of 2.13. The critical value for k is used to identify laboratories that have significant repeatability problems at the 0.5% significance level. Further analysis of results from seat C5, C6, C7 indicates that the k-statistic for L3 is always higher than for other laboratories and exceeds the critical value for k. L3 also has high k-values for flat sample measurements as reported in [2]. Figure 4 shows the small room h-statistic for seat C3. The h-statistic for all laboratories is within the range defined by critical values of +/- 2.34. The critical value for h is used to identify laboratories that have significant deviation from the overall average at the 0.5% significance level. Based on Figures 3 and 4, it is evident that the withinlaboratory and lab-to-lab variations are inherently random with the exception of L3, whose internal measurement procedure is out of control. As expected, Figure 5 shows that seats C3 and C6 have nearly identical absorption, and seats C5 and C7 are similar in absorption as measured in the small reverberation rooms. Furthermore, the small room measurements are able to differentiate the difference in cover cloth air permeability for the two groups of seats.

P1

P2

P3

Figure 2. Seat Positions Inside Reverberation Room

PRECISION STATISTICS
Precision statistics of the seat absorption results measured in large rooms, mid size rooms and small rooms from the round robin tests were calculated according to the ASTM E 691 standard [2, 6]. Precision statistics are a measure of the random variability of a test method. They consist of repeatability, a measure of within-laboratory variability, and reproducibility, a measure of between-laboratory variability. Repeatability refers to measurement variation within the same laboratory with the same operator, measurement equipment and reasonably constant environment (temperature, humidity, etc.). Reproducibility is a measure of the lab-to-lab variation while operator, equipment used, and test environment may be different and contribute appreciably to the variability of the test results. Repeatability and reproducibility are the basis for determining the precision of a test method based on round robin tests. In order to estimate repeatability and reproducibility reasonably, it is important to recognize and differentiate unavoidable random errors from the presence of severe outliers with unacceptable assignable causes. It is necessary to examine the consistency of the inter-laboratory test results first. Two statistical parameters, the between-laboratory consistency statistic h and the within-laboratory consistency statistic k are calculated in the data analysis [7] to single out inconsistent results. The h-statistic indicates how the deviation of the average data of an individual laboratory from the overall average compares to the range of deviations for all laboratories.

3.00 2.50

Consistency Statistic, k

2.13 2.00 1.50 1.00

As demonstrated in Figure 9, mid size room measurements show large differences in absorption between nominally identical seats (i.e., between C3 and C6, and between C5 and C7).

1.8 1.67 1.6

Consistency Statistic,k

1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2

0.50 0.00 400

630

1000

1600

2500

4000

6300

10000

Frequency (Hz)
L3 L20 L5 L21 L8 L22 L10 L24 L18 L28 L19

Figure 3. Seat C3 Within-laboratory Consistency Statistic k Small Rooms

0 315

500

800

1250

2000

3150

5000

8000

Frequency (Hz)

L1
2.50 2.00 2.34

L6

L14

Consistency Statistic h

1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 -0.50

Figure 6. Seat C3 Within-laboratory Consistency Statistic k Mid Size Rooms

2.00 1.50

Consistency Statistic h

-1.00 -1.50 -2.00 -2.50 - 2.34

1.15 1.00 0.50 0.00 -0.50 -1.00 -1.50 - 1.15

400

630 L3 L20

1000 L5 L21

Frequency (Hz)
L8 L22 L10 L24

1600

2500

4000

6300 L18 L28

10000 L19

Figure 4. Seat C3 Between-laboratory Consistency Statistic h Small Rooms

-2.00

315

500

800

1250

2000

3150

5000

8000

Frequency (Hz)
L1 L6 L14

1.00

Equivalent Absorption (m )

0.90 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.20 0.10 0.00 400 630 1000 1600 2500 4000 6300 10000

Figure 7. Seat C3 Between-laboratory Consistency Statistic h Mid Size Rooms

1.2

Equivalent Absorption (m )

1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 315

Frequency (Hz) C3 C5 C6 C7

Figure 5. Individual Seat Absorption Average of Small Rooms Figure 6 and Figure 7 show the k-statistic and h-statistic for seat C3 measured in three mid size reverberation rooms. The h-values for L14 and L1 are near critical values of +/- 1.15, indicating large differences in measured absorption for seat C3 as depicted in Figure 8.

500

800

1250

2000

3150

5000

8000

Frequency (Hz) L1 L6 L14

Figure 8. Seat C3 Absorption Measured in Three Mid Size Rooms Average of Three Positions

1.00

2 1.5

1.92

Equivalent Absorption (m )

0.90 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.20 0.10 0.00 315 500 800 1250 2000 3150 5000 8000

Consistency Statistich

1 0.5 0 -0.5 -1 -1.5 -2 100 - 1.92

160

250

400

630

1000 1600 2500 4000 6300 10000

Frequency (Hz) C3 C5 C6 C7
L4 L7

Frequency (Hz)

L13

L15

L26

L27

Figure 9. Individual Seat Absorption Average of Mid Size Rooms Figure 10 shows that the h-statistic for seat C3 measured in the large rooms. The h value for L13 exceeds the critical value of 1.92. In fact, all measurements conducted in L13 are 10 30 times larger than those measured in other laboratories. Further investigation is necessary to find out the exact reason, and data from L13 is excluded from all analyses that follow. Figures 11 and 12 show the h-statistic and k-statistic for seat C3 measured in large rooms without L13. As depicted in Figure 11, the h-values for L15 and L27 are near critical values of +/- 1.74, indicating large differences in measured absorption for seat C3 between L15 and L27. The k-values for L26, L15 and L4 exceed or are close to the critical value of 1.92 at some frequencies. Individual seat absorption data are plotted in Figure 13. Nominally identical seats have similar measured absorption above 160 Hz. However, the large room measurements show no difference in absorption below 400 Hz, and above 3000 Hz between the two groups of seats covered with different air permeability cloth. It is apparent that absorption measurements of a single seat conducted in mid size rooms and large rooms exhibit large lab-to-lab variations, possibly due to a number of factors including sample size, sample perimeter, room volume, etc.

Figure 10. Seat C3 Between-laboratory Consistency Statistic h Large Rooms

2 1.74 1.5

Consistency Statistich

1 0.5 0 -0.5 -1 -1.5 -2 - 1.74

100

160

250

400

630

1000

1600 2500

4000

6300 10000

Frequency (Hz)
L4 L7 L15 L26 L27

Figure 11. Seat C3 Between-laboratory Consistency Statistic h Large Rooms Without L13

2.5

Consistency Statistic,k

1.92

1.5

0.5

0 100

160

250

400

630

1000

1600

2500 4000 6300 10000

Frequency (Hz)
L4 L7 L15 L26 L27

Figure 12. Seat C3 Within-laboratory Consistency Statistic k Large Rooms Without L13

1.40
2 Equivalent Absorption (m)

1.8 1.6 1.67

1.20 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00 100

Consistency Statistic, k
160 250 400 630 1000 1600 2500 4000 6300 10000

1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 200

Frequency (Hz) C3 C5 C6 C7

315

500

800

1250

2000

3150

5000

8000

Frequency (Hz)

L1

L6

L14

Figure 13. Individual Seat Absorption Average of Large Rooms Without L13

Figure 15. Two Seats C3C6 Within-laboratory Consistency Statistic k Mid Size Rooms

TWO SEATS DATA

Consistency Statistich

2.00 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 -0.50 -1.00 -1.50 - 1.49 1.49

The two seats C3C6 measured in the mid size reverberation rooms exhibit large lab-to-lab variation in absorption as indicated in Figure 14. Furthermore, the hvalues for L14 are near or equal to the critical value of 1.15, and the k-values for L14 are also close or equal to the critical value of 1.67 at many frequencies (Figure 15). As shown in Figure 16 and 17, the h-statistic for the two seats C3C6 measured in the large room L15 exceeds the critical value of 1.49 at many frequencies, and the k values for L26 exceed the critical value of 1.82. Absorption measurements of two seats in both mid size and large reverberation rooms exhibit excessive lab-to-lab as well as within-lab variations.

-2.00 100

160

250

400

630

1000

1600 2500 4000

6300 10000

Frequency (Hz)
L7 L15 L26 L27

Figure 16. Two Seats C3C6 Between-laboratory Consistency Statistic h Large Rooms Without L13

2.50 2.00 Consistency Statistic, k 1.50 2.00 1.82 1.50

Consistency Statistich

1.15 1.00 0.50 0.00 -0.50 -1.00 -1.50 -2.00 - 1.15

1.00

0.50

200

315

500

800

1250

2000

3150

5000

8000

0.00 100

160

250

400

630

1000

1600 2500

4000

6300 10000

Frequency (Hz)
L7 L1 L6 L14

Frequency (Hz)

L15

L26

L27

Figure 14. Two Seats C3C6 Between-laboratory Consistency Statistic h Mid Size Rooms

Figure 17. Two Seats C3C6 Within-laboratory Consistency Statistic k Large Rooms Without L13

FOUR SEATS DATA

2.50

Consistency Statistic,k

All four seats C3 C5 C6 C7 were tested in large reverberation rooms. Figure 18 shows that the h-statistic for L15 is at or close to the critical value of 1.92, indicating large lab-to-lab variation as shown in Figure 19. Results of L15 should be investigated to determine if there are any assignable causes for the large h-statistic. The k-values for L2 and L26 exceed the critical value of 1.98 at some frequencies indicating significant repeatability problems that should be further investigated (Figure 20).

2.00

1.98

1.50

1.00

0.50

0.00 200

315

500

800

1250

2000

3150

5000

Frequency (Hz)
L2 L7 L15 L23 L26 L27

2.00 1.50

1.92

Figure 20. Four Seats C3C5C6C7 Within-laboratory Consistency Statistic k Large Rooms Without L13

Consistency Statistich

1.00 0.50 0.00 -0.50 -1.00 -1.50 - 1.92 -2.00 200

PRECISION STATISTICS COMPARISON Figure 21 compares the repeatability standard deviations of seat C3 absorption measured in small rooms, mid size rooms and large rooms. As demonstrated in Figure 21, small room measurements are more repeatable than mid size room measurements at low frequencies, and large room measurements at high frequencies. Figure 22 shows that for a single seat C3, small room absorption measurements have less lab-to-lab variability than both mid size and large room measurements. Repeatability and reproducibility standard deviations are also calculated for absorption data of four seats measured individually in small rooms, and measured together in large rooms. The precision statistics of four seats for small rooms are calculated based on summation of variance of individual seat measurements. The precision statistics of four seats for large and small rooms are compared in Figure 23 and 24. Similar to single seat results, small room data are more repeatable than large room data at high frequencies. However, small room reproducibility is much better than large room reproducibility as shown in Figure 24. As previously noted, the h-statistic for L15 is at or near the critical value of 1.92 (Figure 18). Detailed analysis indicates that L15 is the main contributor to the large room reproducibility. Large room reproducibility is then re-calculated excluding L15 data and the results are plotted in Figure 25. As depicted in Figure 25, small room reproducibility is still better than large room reproducibility even without L15 data.

315

500

800

1250

2000

3150

5000

Frequency (Hz)
L2 L7 L15 L23 L26 L27

Figure 18. Four Seats C3C5C6C7 Between-laboratory Consistency Statistic h Large Rooms Without L13

6.00

Equivalent Absorption (m2)

5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 200 315 500 800

Frequency (Hz)
L15

1250

2000

3150

5000

8000

L2

L7

L23

L26

L27

Figure 19. Absorption of Four Seats C3C5C6C7 Measured in Large Rooms Without L13 Average of Three Positions

0.90 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.20 0.10 0.00 100 160 250 400 630 1000 1600 2500 4000 6300 10000

Reproducibility Standard Deviation (m 2 )

Repeatability Standard Deviation (m 2)

1.00

1.00 0.90 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.20 0.10 0.00 200 315 500 800 1250 2000 3150 5000 8000

Frequency (Hz)
Large Room Mid Size Room Small Room

Frequency (Hz)
Large Room - 4 Seats Small Room - 4 Seats

Figure 21. Small Room, Mid Size Room and Large Room Repeatability Comparison for Seat C3

Figure 24. Small Room and Large Room Reproducibility Comparison for 4 Seats C3C5C6C7

Reproducibility Standard Deviation (m 2 )

0.90 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.20 0.10 0.00 100 160 250 400 630 1000 1600 2500 4000 6300 10000

Reproducibility Standard Deviation (m 2 )

1.00

1.00 0.90 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.20 0.10 0.00 200 315 500 800 1250 2000 3150 5000 8000

Frequency (Hz)
Large Room Mid Size Room Small Room

Frequency (Hz)
Large Room - 4 Seats Small Room - 4 Seats

Figure 22. Small Room, Mid Size Room and Large Room Reproducibility Comparison for Seat C3

Figure 25. Small Room and Large Room Reproducibility Comparison for 4 Seats C3C5C6C7 Without L15

Repeatability Standard Deviation (m 2)

1.00 0.90 0.80 0.70 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.20 0.10 0.00 200 315 500 800 1250 2000 3150 5000 8000

CONCLUSION
Data analyses of the random incidence sound absorption measurements of automotive seats from the SAE round robin tests indicate that the precision (repeatability and reproducibility) for small reverberation room absorption measurements of seats is better than mid size and large room measurements.
Frequency (Hz)
Large Room - 4 Seats Small Room - 4 Seats

Absorption measurements of a single seat, two seats, as well as four seats conducted in mid size and large rooms exhibit large reproducibility or laboratory-to-laboratory variation.

Figure 23. Small Room and Large Room Repeatability Comparison for 4 Seats C3C5C6C7

REFERENCES
1. Chappuis, A., Small Size Devices for Accurate Acoustical Measurements of Materials and Parts Used in Automobiles, SAE Paper 931266. 2. Veen, J. R., Pan, J., and Saha, P., Development of a Small Size Reverberation Room Standardized Test Procedure for Random Incidence Sound Absorption Testing, SAE Paper 2005-01-2284. 3. Veen, J. R., Pan, J., and Saha, P., Standardized Test Procedures for Small Reverberation Room, Sound and Vibration, December 2005. 4. ASTM C423 02, Standard Test Method for Sound Absorption and Absorption Coefficients by the Reverberation Room Method, April 2002, ASTM International. 5. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 354: Acoustics Measurement of Sound Absorption in a Reverberation Room. 6. Instructions for the use of the Alpha Cabin, Technical Report No. 848, Rieter Automotive Systems, 1993. 7. ASTM E691 99, Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method, ASTM International, 1999.

CONTACT
Jian Pan Rieter Automotive North America Phone: 248-324-2264 Email: jian.pan@rieterauto.com Pranab Saha, Ph.D, P.E. Kolano and Saha Engineers, Inc. Phone: 248-674-4100 Email: prsaha@kandse.com Jerry Veen, P.E. Johnson Controls ASG Phone: 616-394-8012 Email: jerry.r.veen@jci.com