Descrição

When is detected in situ the existence of poor sound insulation, typically the non-compliance with
the acoustic requirements of buildings, between two spaces – source and receiver – and if we want
to solve the problem, it is necessary to know which sound paths most contribute to the difference
of sound levels between these spaces. However, the classical sound insulation measurement does
not make this distinction, it only provides the difference in sound levels. In order to overcome
this difficulty, a new test methodology is proposed to estimate the sound propagation paths between building rooms, generated by sound sources located in the interior. The proposed methodology is based on the use of vibration measurements of structural elements (slabs) and non-structural elements (partition walls) to estimate the sound field in the receiver space, together with
sound measurements to estimate the sound field in the source space. With this alternative methodology to determine the sound insulation of a space, it is intended to obtain more rigorous results
with respect to: i) determination of the contribution of each of the structural paths, in a certain
sound isolation, in order to define the sound paths in which an acoustic rehabilitation intervention
is most effective; ii) determining the possible existence of airborne paths that contribute to the
reduction of sound insulation. In order to validate the proposed methodology, in situ sound insulation measurements were carried out, according to the applicable standards of ISO 16283 series,
and vibration measurements of the separator elements (floor, ceiling, side walls) of interior spaces
in existing buildings