Sound Transmission through Single and Double Panels Using Statistical Energy Analysis

Abstract

The transmission of random incidence sound through single and double panels is studied using statistical energy analysis. In the single panel case the analytical model consists of three linearly coupled oscillators, room-panel-room. In the double panel case, the model consists of five oscillators, room-panel-cavity-panel-room. The effects of cavity absorption, panel damping, panel spacing, and edge conditions are included in the analysis. Both resonant and nonresonant transmission are considered. Theoretically, the sound energy transmitted is found to depend strongly on the radiation resistance of the panels and the panel and cavity loss factors. Good agreement is obtained between theory and experiment, and for double panels the agreement is much better than can be obtained using the London or Beranek and Work theories. The radiation resistance and vibration amplitude of the panels are also well predicted by the analysis. [Work conducted when both authors were at the Department of Building Science, The University, Liverpool, England.]