Lecture 4 Sound transmission and insulation

Session objectives

• Appreciate mechanisms by which sound is transmitted in

buildings
• Express sound transmitted between spaces in terms of a
transmission coefficient and sound reduction index (SRI)
• Understand and use mass law of sound insulation
• Understand methods for minimising sound transmission in
buildings
Sound Energy Flow Through a Partition
Source room Absorbed energy Receiving room
(heat)

Incident sound Transmitted sound

(airborne) (airborne)

Reflected sound Flanking sound

(airborne) re-enters room
(airborne)

Flanking sound (structure borne)

Flanking sound is the transmission of sound from a source room to a receiving

room by paths other than through the separating partition. Common
mechanisms for flanking transmission include common timber floor, suspended
ceilings, pipe work, ducting, electricity cables.
Sound Reduction Index

Incident energy Transmitted energy

Sound energy transmitted

Transmission coefficient 𝜏 =
Total incident sound energy

0<𝜏<1
1
𝑆𝑅𝐼 = 10 log
𝜏
Overall Sound Reduction Index
• For a composite wall the overall SRI cannot be calculated
directly.

𝜏𝑎𝑣 𝐴 = 𝜏1 𝐴1 + 𝜏2 𝐴2 + ⋯ + 𝜏𝑛 𝐴𝑛

• This can then be used to find an average SRI

Example 4.1
• What is the new overall SRI of the wall?

Wall SRI = 40 dB Window SRI = 28 dB

Area = 30 m2 Area = 3.6 m2

Door SRI = 34 dB
Area = 2 m2

Existing wall Wall with door and window

Example 4.1
• What is the new overall SRI of the wall?

Component 𝝉 Area 𝝉𝑨
Door 3.98 x 10-4 2 7.96 x 10-4

Window 1.58 x 10-3 3.6 5.69 x 10-3

Wall 1.0 x 10-4 24.4 24.4 x 10-4

∑𝐴 = 30 ∑𝜏𝐴 = 8.93x10-3

∑𝜏𝐴 8.93 × 10−3

𝜏𝑎𝑣 = = = 2.97 × 10−4
∑𝐴 30

1 1
𝑆𝑅𝐼 = 10 log = 10 log = 35.5 𝑑𝐵
𝜏𝑎𝑣 2.97 × 10−4
Principles of Good Sound Insulation
Sound Insulation is the ability of building elements or structures
to reduce sound transmission and is measured over a range of
frequencies, normally 100 ~ 3150 Hz. On-site results often fall
short of laboratory measurements due to the flanking sound.

• Heaviness: heavyweight structures transmit less sound energy

than lightweight (mass law)

• Flexibility: high stiffness associated with resonance and

coincidence loss (when the wavelength of the sound in air is the same as
the bending waves in the partition)

• Completeness: Areas of low insulation or gaps transmit sound

• Isolation: loss of sound energy at junction of materials

The “Mass Law” of sound insulation

𝑆𝑅𝐼 = 20 log 𝑀𝑓 − 43

𝑀 = surface mass of partition (kg/m2)

𝑓 = frequency of sound (Hz)
𝑆𝑅𝐼 = sound reduction index (dB)
• Not an absolute rule and only applies under certain conditions.
• Good approximate guide to the sound reduction index of a
partition.
• In simple terms: A doubling of the mass of a partition will result
in an increase of 6 dB in its SRI
The “Mass Law” of sound insulation
Using in calculations:

• If you are given surface mass (kg/m2) use this in any calculation

• If you are given mass (kg) and area (m2), calculate M from
mass/area before using mass law
Example 4.2
• What is the surface mass for a partition with an SRI = 35 dB at
1000 Hz?
• What would the SRI be at 500 Hz?
Example 4.2
• What is the surface mass for a partition with an SRI = 35 dB at
1000 Hz?
• What would the SRI be at 500 Hz?

From “Mass Law” 𝑆𝑅𝐼 = 20 log 𝑀𝑓 − 43

At 1000 Hz 35 = 20 log 𝑀 × 1000 − 43

(35+43)
10 20
𝑀= = 100.9 = 7.943 𝑘𝑔/𝑚2
1000

At 500 Hz
𝑆𝑅𝐼 = 20 log 7.943 × 500 − 43 = 29 𝑑𝐵
Critical frequencies

Critical frequency is the lowest frequency at which the coincidence effect

occurs in a partition and the incident sound wave travels parallel to the surface
of the partition.
 Critical frequencies

Material Thickness Surface Mass Critical Frequency

(mm) (kg/m2) (Hz)
Brick 251 400 100
Brick 102.5 200 200
Lead 18 200 15000
Plasterboard 10 9 2900-4500
Plasterboard 20 18 1400-2300
Glassfibre Reinforced Gypsum 10 18 2000
Plywood 10 7.5 1300
Steel 3 25 4000
Sound transmission between rooms

Total surface area, S

Reverberant sound field

Common
wall area, Receiver
Source
𝑆𝑝
Diffuse sound field

𝑆𝑝 1 − 𝛼
𝐿𝑃1 − 𝐿𝑃2 = 𝑆𝑅𝐼 − 10 log
𝑆2 𝛼
Subscripts 1 and 2 indicate the source room and receiving room, respectively;
𝑆𝑝 is the partition surface area (m2);
𝑆2 𝛼
is the room constant of the receiving room;
1−𝛼
Partition Wall SRI Example 4.3

Office Plant
room

• SPL in plant room = 90 dB

• Area of partition = 18 m2
• Surface area of office = 108 m2
• Max SPL in office = 40 dB
• Average absorption coefficient = 0.37

Calculate the SRI of the partition wall, assuming a reverberant field

exists in both rooms.
Partition Wall SRI Example 4.3

The sound transmission from the plant room to the office

is described by the equation

𝑆𝑝 1 − 𝛼
𝐿𝑃1 − 𝐿𝑃2 = 𝑆𝑅𝐼 − 10 log
𝑆2 𝛼

18 × 1 − 0.37
90 − 40 = 𝑆𝑅𝐼 − 10 log
108 × 0.37

50 = 𝑆𝑅𝐼 − −5.47

𝑆𝑅𝐼 = 44.53 𝑑𝐵
Tackling building problems

Common weak points:

• Lightweight or badly fitting doors

• Single glazed window
• Poorly sealed service entries through walls
• Poor sealing at the edges of a partition
• Poorly constructed partition or block walls
Transmission via ceiling void
Pipes/services entry
Stud partition
Glazing
Machinery noise
Workers and transmission around a building

Hierarchy of measures:

• Administrative control – do you

need to operate, when do you
to operate
• Personal protection – ear plugs
etc.
• Acoustic containment –
Mounting Enclosure
Machinery noise

Acoustic enclosure kits for soundproofing pump: sound absorbing

foam and anti-vibration mounts

Anti-vibration
mounts –
rubber or
spring
Summary
• Sound transmission quantified by transmission coefficient, 𝜏,
and Sound Reduction Index (SRI).
• Average 𝜏 and SRI can be found for composite partition.
• Theory can be applied to sound reduction methods including
partition walls and enclosures.
• There are a range of practical approaches that can be used to
minimise sound transmission within buildings.