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Wood: Acoustic Properties

Chapter · January 2016

DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-803581-8.01996-2

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 Wood: Acoustic Properties$
M Roohnia, Karaj Branch-Islamic Azad University, Alborz, Iran
r 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

1 Introduction 1
2 Specific Stiffness of Wood: An Elastic Vibrating Media 1
3 Velocity of Acoustic Waves in Wood and Wood Products 2
4 Damping Capacity 5
5 Synthesis of the Acoustical Indexes for Wood Selection and Timber Grading 7
5.1 Mechanical Impedance 7
5.2 Sound Radiation Coefficient 7
5.3 Acoustic Conversion Efficiency 7
5.4 Timbre 8
6 Architectural Acoustics 9
7 Conclusions 11
References 11
Further Reading 12

1 Introduction

Acoustic properties of wood are best recognized when listening to the tone and clarity of wood instruments such as the violin,
piano, xylophone, or guitar. Less recognized, however, are the major roles acoustic properties play in helping to minimize sound
transmission from one room to the next and in providing sound barriers to highway noise. Acoustic waves are also used to
evaluate strength properties in wood, evaluate processing variables during manufacturing, and elucidate anatomical characteristics
of wood. Each of these areas can be complex but are based on general principles that are discussed here.
The study of acoustics is generally divided into three frequency classifications, infrasound (o20 Hz), audible sound (20 Hz–
20 kHz), and ultrasound (420 kHz). The type of transporting media such as aeroacoustics (air transfer), underwater acoustics,
and solid acoustics also characterizes research in acoustics. The classification most commonly used in the area of wood and wood-
based materials is solid acoustics in the audible and ultrasound frequency ranges. In this article these areas will be discussed with
reference to wood and wood products. Included will be specific stiffness, acoustic velocity, acoustic coefficient, internal dissipation
of acoustic waves (i.e., damping capacity), acoustic conversion efficiency, timbre and color of sound, and the reflection,
absorption, and transmission of acoustic waves in buildings.

2 Specific Stiffness of Wood: An Elastic Vibrating Media

The vibration (e.g., flexural, longitudinal, or the torsional) of wood creates or resonates the sound. Vibration in different planes
and the oscillation of its particles are precisely animated by Russell (2014) and is kept up-to-date. The oscillation of the elements
in a vibrated body is related to the elastic properties of the media in which the oscillation is occurred. The most common indicator
for the elastic property of a material, i.e., wood, either in normal or shear stress–strain domain, is the stiffness (C), which is
become comprehensive after dividing it to the density, introduced as specific stiffness (S) or stiffness to density ratio. It is also
called as specific moduli, in literatures (Roohnia et al., 2011a), most commonly when the normal stress and strain is the main
purpose of discussion.

Cij
S¼
r

in which, C is the stiffness in ij plane in Pascale. If i ¼ j, the modulus of elasticity (E), in longitudinal (L), radial (R), or tangential
(T) directions and if iaj the shear modulus (G) in LR, LT, or RT planes are being indicated. r is density in Kilograms per cubic
meters. So, the specific stiffness is obtained in Pa m3 Kg1.

☆
Change History: June 2015. M. Roohnia added two sections, numbered as ‘1’ and ‘4.’ Two Sections (2 and 3) were entirely updated. Section 5 entitled
‘Architectural Acoustics’ was remained without change. Four Figures were added and numbered as ‘1’, ‘3’, ‘4,’ and ‘5.’

Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-803581-8.01996-2 1

2 Wood: Acoustic Properties

Figure 1 A modulus/density chart illustrating the selection of wood among the materials. Reproduced from Ashby, M., Cebon, D., 1993. Materials
selection in mechanical design. J de Physique IV 3 (C7), C7-1–C7-9.

High specific modulus timbers find wide application in musical instrument resonators, where minimum structural weight is
required; i.e., the utility of specific stiffness is to find wooden pieces with minimum weight, for the flexural vibrated body in
sounding board of a resonator in which the primary design limitation is deflection or physical deformation, rather than load at
breaking point. Any manipulation of wood by chemical or mechanical treatments for improving the acoustical properties required
in sounding boards, must concern the specific stiffness as the first critical parameter. Thus, it might be a hard task to find a material
better than or similar to wood, to be combined with, or substituted in acoustical applications. However, in mechanical appli-
cations, the engineering composite materials, for example, Carbon-fiber reinforced epoxy (CFRP), and engineering ceramics show
a similar specific stiffness while ceramics are brittle and concerned of low values of toughness (Ashby and Cebon, 1993). They
might not be used for the engineering materials, for example, in boat oars. CFRP and similar engineering composites, even with
higher densities were good substitutes, because they are not brittle and have the possibility to be made much thinner (and become
lighter) than the wooden oars. Similar substitution for acoustic performances was not yet successful due to the importance of the
total weight of the resonators as a part of the portable musical instruments. Figure 1 shows wood in terms of modulus of elasticity
and density among a large variety of materials.
This acoustical (mechanical) property is also important in quality assessment of structural timbers and has not to be confused
with specific strength, a term that compares strength to density.

3 Velocity of Acoustic Waves in Wood and Wood Products

The measurement of wave velocity in wood and wood products provides the basis for determining a number of properties
and attributes. Gerhards (1982) summarized the variables that affect sound velocity as determined by a number of researchers.
Wave velocity has been found to change with grain direction, moisture content, temperature, wave frequency, and amplitude of
vibration. Velocity has also been shown to correlate with modulus of elasticity and density. These relationships provide
the basis for determining strength characteristics and have received the most attention. Velocities do not vary greatly among
species.
The direction of wave propagation (i.e., grain direction – longitudinal, radial, or tangential) has the greatest influence on
velocity. In general values for most species are approximately 5000 ms1 in the longitudinal direction, 1500 ms1 in the radial
direction, and 1200 ms1 in the tangential direction. Bucur (2005) provided anisotropic values for ultrasonic velocities using a
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 Wood: Acoustic Properties 11

design is more complex, consisting of a glass-fiber interface between the flooring and subflooring and a heavy glass-fiber blanket
between the joists and a resiliently suspended ceiling.

7 Conclusions

The science of acoustics and research in this discipline is expanding greatly. Since acoustic waves are nondestructive to wood and
wood products they will continue to help provide techniques to better understand and control manufacturing processes for this
material. The use of acoustic waves in the wood products industry has passed its infancy and is continuing to grow as knowledge is
developed.

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Further Reading

Dunlop, J.I., 1981. Testing of poles by using acoustic pulse method. Wood Sci. Technol. 15, 301–310.

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