Sound Transmission Loss Analysis on Building Materials

Abstract

This study is mainly to determine the sound transmission loss (STL) performance of the four selected building materials using the impedance tube. The four building materials are; autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), laminated glass, expanded polystyrene and rockwool. Transmission loss occurs when a sound goes through a partition or barrier. The specimens are prepared in two thicknesses, which are 10 mm and 20 mm. The STL of the specimen was determined and analysed. It is observed that the STL results for all the tested materials are having a similar trend, which is a thicker specimen gives higher STL. In general, all the materials deliver high STL at the frequency range of 3000 – 5500 Hz. In overall, the result shows that the expanded polystyrene scores the highest STL among the four building materials in this study. Six combinations of different material also were tested, and AAC & expanded polystyrene combination shows the highest STL value among the six combinations. The outcomes of this study can be referred by noise control engineer on the selection of the sound insulation material for the building noise insulation treatment.