Sound transmission in multilayered structures - Introducing finite structural connections in the transfer matrix method

The transfer matrix technique is an efficient tool for calculating sound transmission through multilayered structures. Recent developments, as to the calculation of the sound reduction index, have given better fit to measurement data, e.g. due to the simulation of finite size samples by the spatial windowing technique. In practice, however, finite size structural connections (points or lines) normally do exist between leaves in wall constructions and these are not natural elements in the transfer matrix method. The paper describes a simple method to account for the effect of point- and line-connections in double-leaf constructions in a transfer matrix setup. To cover the frequency range above the critical frequency of the constituent plates, some new developments as to the forced radiation from plates were needed. Predicted results compare favorably with measurement results for a number of different cases, also including a heavy wall. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.