Abstract
The paper presents an extensive review investigating the practical aspects
related to the use of single- number ratings used in describing the sound
insulation performance of partition wall panels and practical
complications encountered in precise measurements in extensive frequency
range from 50 Hz to 5 kHz. SWOT analysis of various single number ratings
is described. A laboratory investigation on a double wall partition panel
combination revealed the significant dependence of STC rating on
transmission loss at 125 Hz attributed to 8 dB rule. An investigation
conducted on devising alternative spectrums of aircraft noise, traffic
noise, vehicular horn noise and elevated metro train noise as an extension
to ISO 717-1 Ctr for ascertaining the sound insulation properties of
materials exclusively towards these noise sources revealed that the
single-number rating Rw + Ctr calculated using ISO 717-1 Ctr gives the
minimum sound insulation, when compared with Rw + Cx calculated using the
alternative spectrums of aircraft noise, traffic noise, etc., which means
that material provides a higher sound insulation to the other noise
sources. It is also observed that spectrum adaptation term Cx calculated
using the spectrum of noise sources having high sound pressure levels in
lower frequencies decreases as compared to ISO 717-1 Ctr owing to
significant dependence of Ctr at lower frequencies.
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