Examining the performance of thermal insulation materials used in buildings for noise insulation

Abstract

Urbanization is spreading throughout the world as a result of rising population. Accordingly, airway, seaway, road, and railway transportation networks are expanding. Advancements in transportation and population growth result in significant increases in environmental noise. Increased noise levels have a negative impact on people's health and cause a variety of issues such as sleep disorders and communication problems. Consequently, various noiseproofing (insulation) regulations and codes have appeared in various countries. However, studies conducted recently have shown that in order for providing sustainable quality of life, it is recommended that the noise level should not exceed certain values. On maximum noise levels for comfortable living places have revealed that adequate and enough insulation levels should be satisfied using the criteria specified in specifications. Nowadays, building energy savings have increased significantly with the use of thermal insulation materials used in buildings. This study investigates the performances of commonly used thermal insulation materials in buildings on noise insulation. Namely, the effects of various wall thicknesses and thermal insulation materials on noise insulation performance were studied. Outdoor and indoor noise levels were measured in a heavily trafficked workplace area of Konya, Turkey, which is identified as sample noise noise source of this study. It was found out in the study that while some thermal insulation materials provide adequate noise insulation in a specific noise frequency range, some others not adequate.