A numerical model for the low frequency diffuse field sound transmission loss of double-wall sound barriers with elastic porous linings

This paper discusses the prediction of the law frequency diffuse field transmission loss through double-wall sound barriers with elastic porous linings. The studied sound barriers are made up from a porous-elastic decoupling material sandwiched between an elastic skin and a septum. The prediction approach is based on a finite element model for the different layers of the sound barrier coupled to a variational boundary element, method to account for fluid loading. The diffuse field is modeled as a combination of uncorrelated freely propagating plane waves with equal amplitude, no two of which are traveling in the same direction. The corresponding vibroacoustic indicators are calculated efficiently using a Gauss integration scheme. Also, a power balance is presented to explain the dissipation mechanisms in the different layers. Typical results showing the effects on the transmission loss of several parameters such as the septum mass, the decoupling porous layer properties and the multi-layer mounting conditions are presented. (C) 2000 Acoustical Society of America. [S0001-4966(00)01512-5].