UNIT-6

NOISE REDUCTION
 Transmission loss (TL)

The definition of transmission loss (TL) is, " The accumulated decrease in acoustic
intensity as an acoustic pressure wave propagates outwards from a source." As the
acoustic wave propagates outwards from the source the intensity of the signal is
reduced with increasing range due to:
1) Spreading
2) Attenuation
 Sound Transmission

Barriers reduce sound transmission to reduce noise

intrusion

S: p. 807, F.19.11
Transmission Loss (TL):
sound energy lost through a
construction assembly
 Sound Transmission Class
Sound Transmission Class (STC): defines overall
transmission loss across center band frequencies
Barrier STC Descriptor/ Application
Ranking
25 Poor/1 Space divider
30 Fair/2 Room divider
35 Very Good/4 Offices near quiet space
42-45 Excellent/5 Party walls
46-50 Total Privacy/6 Quiet next to noisy
 Sound Transmission Class
STC can be compromised by:

◼ Combination with lesser sound barriers

◼ Gaps in construction

“An air path is a good sound path”

 Sound Transmission Class
STC of a wall assembly

2x4 stud with gyp. Bd.

Sound
Transmission
Class
Wall assembly description

2x4 stud with gyp. bd.

 Sound Transmission Class
Wall assembly selection
TL data

2x4 stud with

gyp. bd.
 Noise Reduction by Absorption
Increased absorption reduces ambient noise
Noise Reduction 69 db

by Absorption

Reverberation increases
ambient sound levels
 Noise Reduction
Combined effect of TL and absorption

NR=TL-10 Log (S/AR)

NR: noise reduction (db)

TL: transmission loss (db)
S: area of barrier wall (ft2)
AR: total absorption of receiving room
(sabins, ft2)
 Noise Reduction
What is the noise reduction at 500 hz between two
rooms separated by a 2x4 stud wall with ½” gyp. bd.
on each side.

Receiving room absorption: 450 sabins, ft2

Separation wall: 10’ x 20’

 Noise Reduction
Find TL500

TL500=35 db

S: p. 813, F.19.17