Sound source Wall assembly

SOUND TRANSMISSION

** In acoustics, recall that we have 2 major concerns: 1) Sound treatment (sound

absorption), and 2) soundproofing (sound isolation).

** Sound Transmission is about whether sounds in one room will be audible in another
room.

** We are now concerned with soundproofing, also known as sound isolation.

** To achieve soundproofing, the transmitted sound level (through walls) from outside
sources should be less than the existing background or ambient sound level in the
receiving room (for all frequency bands). This means that sound outside cannot be heard
inside the room.

** 2 Main ways to minimize sound transmission:

1. Mass: the more mass and the denser, the better transmission loss (mass is amount
of matter or atomic particles in an object; weight = mass x gravity).
2. Decoupling: detached, isolated or disconnected walls, floors or ceilings prevent
transmission of vibrations between them.
** Most dense surfaces can isolate sound well, but will reflect sound back into the
room. On the other hand, most porous surfaces will absorb sound well, but will not
isolate.

** Walls, floors and ceilings need to be isolated, decoupled, or detached from each
other, as well as from other building structures, usually by means of dense, pliable
rubber and air gaps or air spaces.

** Airtight construction is necessary. Sound, like air, light, and water can get
through any small gap.
NOISE REDUCTION (NRisol)

- NRisol is the level of attenuation in dB provided by the wall construction between 2 rooms.
- NRisol is frequency dependent, i.e., NRisol usually varies for each frequency band.
- Location of LP measurement should be greater than one half wavelength from walls,
ceilings or floors.

NRisol = Lp(source) – Lp(receiver)

- NRisol is directly affected by the properties of the wall construction, and to a

lesser degree is affected also by A2 (total absorption in the receiving room)
and SW (surface area of the wall).
Ex. 1) If Lp (1 kHz) in the source room is 82 dB, and Lp (1 kHz) transmitted into the
adjacent (receiver) room is 38 dB, what is the NRisol at 1 kHz provided by the common
wall?

Solution: NRisol = Lp(source) – Lp(receiver)

= 82 dB – 38 dB
= 44 dB //

2) If a guitar amp is producing 96 dB500 Hz in a rehearsal room, what will be the

Lp(receiver) in an adjacent room if the common wall’s NR500 is 42 dB?

Solution: NRisol = Lp(source) – Lp(receiver)

42 dB = 96 dB - Lp(rcvr)
Lp(rcvr) = 96 dB - 42 dB
Lp(rcvr) = 54 dB //
TRANSMISSION LOSS (TL)
- TL is the level of isolation, or level of attenuation (in dB) provided by the wall
construction itself, independent of wall size or room absorption.

- TL is the property of the wall material; it is used to compare the sound isolation
effectiveness of various wall materials.

- TL is measured in lab conditions using standardized methods and criteria.

𝑨
NRisol = TL + 10 log ( 𝟐 )
𝑺𝒘

where NRisol = noise reduction in dB

TL = transmission loss in dB
A2 = total absorption in receiving room in sab or ft2
Sw = surface area of wall in ft2
- An increased A2 will increase NR or the effective isolation because reverberant
levels in the receiving room are decreased.

- An increased SW will reduce NR or the effective isolation because more surface

area will be able to transmit sound.

Take note,
𝐴
NRisol = Lp(source) – Lp(rcvr) and NRisol = TL + 10 log (𝑆 2 )
𝑤

Therefore,
𝐴
NRisol = Lp(source) – Lp(rcvr) = TL + 10 log (𝑆 2 )
𝑤
Ex. 1) A concrete wall (#3) is 14’ x 11’. If an adjacent room has A2 = 220 sabines,
a. find NRisol at 250 Hz.
b. If the Lp from the source room is 92 dB, what will be the Lp (receiver) in the
adjacent room?
𝐴
a. NRisol = TL + 10 log (𝑆 2 )
𝑤
TL of concrete wall (#3) is 43 dB at 250 Hz
Sw = (14)(11) = 154 ft2

𝐴
NRisol = TL + 10 log (𝑆 2 )
𝑤
220 ft2
= 43 dB + 10 log (
154 ft2)
= 43 dB + 10 log(1.43)
= 43 dB + 10 (0.15) = 44.5 dB //
b. NRisol = Lp(source) – Lp(rcvr)

44.5 dB = 92 dB - Lp(rcvr)
Lp(rcvr) = 92 - 44.5

Lp(rcvr) = 47. dB //
2) In a meeting room, a certain wall material 14’ x 12’ provides 58 dB of NR at 500
Hz. If the receiver room has A2 = 150 sabines, what is the wall material’s TL at 500
Hz?
𝐴
NRisol = TL + 10 log (𝑆 2 ) Sw = (14)(12) = 168 ft2
𝑤

58 dB = TL + 10log (150 ft2/168 ft2)

58 dB = TL + 10log (0.89)

58 = TL + 10(-0.05)

58 = TL - 0.5

TL = 58.5 dB //
 MASS LAW

- The Mass Law assumes that constructions generally isolate high frequency sounds more
effectively than low frequency sounds.

- Massive constructions generally isolate sound more effectively than lightweight

construction. Or, the more mass, the better isolation.

- For each doubling of frequency, the TL increases by 6 dB.

- For each doubling of mass, the TL increases by 6 dB.

Thus, 6 dB is added for each doubling, and 6 dB is subtracted for each halving.
Ex. 1) A wall construction provides 28 dB TL at 250 Hz. Using the Mass Law, estimate
TL at a. 1 kHz, b. 2 kHz, c. and 63 Hz.

Given: at 250 Hz, TL = 28 dB

So at 500 Hz, TL = 28 dB + 6 = 34 dB
Then at 1 kHz, TL = 34 + 6 = 40 dB //
Then at 2 kHz, TL = 40 + 6 = 46 dB //

At 125 Hz, TL = 28 dB – 6 = 22 dB
So at 63 Hz, TL = 22 – 6 = 16 dB //
2) The TL of a brick wall at 500 Hz is 42 dB. Using Mass Law, estimate
a. TL if thickness is doubled.
b. TL at 2 kHz if thickness is doubled.
c. TL at 125 Hz if thickness is 4 times.

a. For one brick wall, at 500 Hz, TL = 42 dB (given)

If wall is doubled, TL = 42 + 6 = 48 dB (still at 500 Hz) //

b. For one brick wall, at 500 Hz, TL = 42 dB (given)

So at 1 kHz, TL = 42 + 6 = 48 dB
Then at 2 kHz, TL = 48 + 6 = 54 dB
Then if wall is doubled, at 2 kHz, TL = 54 + 6 = 60 dB //

c. For one brick wall, at 500 Hz, TL = 42 dB (given)

so at 250 Hz, TL = 42 – 6 = 36 dB
then at 125 Hz, TL = 36 – 6 = 30 dB
If we double the wall (meaning 2x), TL = 30 + 6 = 36 dB (still at 125 Hz)
Then we double this double wall (meaning 4x already),
TL = 36 + 6 = 42 dB //
What if….
c) At 500 Hz, we double the wall, and double this double wall (i.e. 4x),
42 + 6 + 6 = 54 dB (still at 500 Hz)
So at 250 Hz, TL = 54 – 6 = 48 dB
then at 125 Hz, TL = 48 – 6 = 42 dB //
SOUND TRANSMISSION CLASS (STC)
- STC is a single-number rating used to compare walls and floor/ceiling
constructions for their sound-isolating or sound-blocking properties in the
speech frequency range.

- STC therefore is a rating relevant only for frequencies between 125 Hz to 4 kHz.

- STC ratings of raw construction materials are measured in a lab. When these
raw materials are installed in a bldg., the STC rating changes.

- The higher the STC rating, the more overall noise reduction can be expected.

Since low frequency noises are usually a problem, it is better to look at the TL of
a construction material at the low frequencies, rather than look for higher STC
ratings.
STC Conditions Rating
25 Normal speech can be understood quite easily Poor

30 Loud speech understood, normal speech heard but Fair

not understood
35 Loud speech audible but not intelligible, normal Good
speech faint
40 Onset of "privacy" Good

42 Loud speech audible as a murmur Very Good; minimum

required for studios
45 Loud speech not audible; 90% of statistical Very Good; minimum
population not annoyed required for studios
50 Very loud sounds such as musical instruments or a Excellent; design goal for
stereo can be faintly heard; 99% of population not most pro studios
annoyed.

60+ Superior soundproofing; most sounds inaudible Excellent; design goal for
most pro studios