Calculation from Outdoor to Indoor Transmission
INSUL calculates the noise level inside a room due to outdoor noise. Calculations are based on EN 12354/3. The prediction accounts for the sound transmission loss (STL) of the building façade, the size of the room and its acoustical characteristics. Up to five different elements (e.g door, wall, window, roof, floor) can be included. STL data can come from INSUL or be manually entered from other data. Several standard outdoor noise spectra are available (e.g. traffic noise, aircraft noise, entertainment noise, voice). INSUL can be used to design the optimum façade element to match the design requirements.
Prediction of Impact Sound for light weight floors
INSUL can now predict the impact sound insulation of light weight floors. Impact sound insulation predictions can now be carried out for different joist constructions including timber joists and ZGirts. The prediction routines are sensitive to the dimensions of the joists, their mass and spacing and all of these variables can be set independently in INSUL. A range of floor linings is available including plywood, particle board, orientated strand board (OSB) and thin timber floor boards. As with previous versions of INSUL, ceilings can also be included in the predictions, with a range of ceiling connections including directing fixing to the joists, rubber isolation clips and separate ceiling joists. INSUL also includes the option to add infill material in the cavity of the construction.
Sound Insulation of Sandwich Panels
INSUL can now predict the sound insulation of a variety of light weight sandwich panels. A typical example would be panels with thin steel or aluminium skins, with a polystyrene or mineral wool core. For instance panels from Kingspan or Paroc. The sound insulation both of single panels and panels used in more complex constructions can be predicted. The properites of the core can be adjusted using the in built materials properties editor. In addition sandwich panels with much stiffer cores can also be predicted, a typical example would be a panel with steel facings and a light weight aerated concrete (Speedwall)
Trapezoidal Profiled Metal Panels
INSULhas improved the prediction of profiled metal panels, typically used for commercial and industrial buildings. Previously only single panels could be predicted, and not complex constructions using corrugated or profiled panels. New routines based on the work of Lam and Windle in England allow more accurate prediction of particular profiles, and of constructions using profiled panels in conjunction with flat sheets and in cavity constructions as well. For instance the effect of a layer of plywood underneath a profiled steel skin can be predicted. Then this can be extended by adding an air gap and a second lining, with or without an acoustic blanket in the cavity.
Porous Blankets and Facings
INSUL can now predict the sound transmission loss of porous blankets either alone or as a facing for a construction. Typical constructions would include modular panels for acoustic enclosures that have a steel skin with a mineral wool infill and perforated steel internal facing.