Comparasion of prediction and measurement methods for sound insulation of lightweight partitions

Abstract

It is important to know the sound insulation of partitions in order to be able to compare different constructions, calculate acoustic comfort in apartments or noise levels from outdoor sources such as road traffic, and find engineer optimum solutions to noise problems. The use of lightweight partitions as party walls between dwellings has become common because sound insulation requirements can be achieved with low overall surface weights. However, they need greater skill to design and construct, because the overall design is much more complex. It is also more difficult to predict and measure of sound transmission loss of lightweight partitions. There are various methods for predicting and measuring sound insulation of partitions and some of them will be described in this paper. Also, this paper presents a comparison of experimental results of the sound insulation of lightweight partitions with results obtained using different theoretical models for single homogenous panels and double panels with and without acoustic absorption in the cavity between the panels.