An Empirical Model for Optimizing the Sound Absorption of Single Layer MPP Based on Response Surface Methodology

Micro-perforated panel (MPP) is a thin panel absorber capable of absorbing sound energy at a targeted frequency range by adjusting the MPP parameters. An analytical model is available, but it is not a direct, convenient method for practitioners to determine the required MPP parameters. This paper presents an optimized empirical model to calculate the sound absorption coefficient of a single-layer MPP. The response surface methodology is employed for a simple case to generate a second-order polynomial model through a sequence of designing processes to analyze the functional relationships and variation of the outcome performance (sound absorption coefficient) concerning the MPP parameters, namely the panel thickness, hole diameter, perforation ratio, and the depth of the back air layer. The analysis is carried out for frequencies between 300 to 900 Hz. The predicted data (empirical) is compared with the actual data (analytical), leading to a coefficient of variation of 0.145%. The proposed empirical model can be used as a method to select the suitable MPP parameters according to the targeted frequency bandwidth of absorption with less computational time.

Automated summary

This paper presents an optimized empirical model for calculating the sound absorption coefficient of a single-layer MPP. By analyzing the relationships between MPP parameters and sound absorption performance, it provides a more convenient method for selecting suitable MPP parameters.