Jute composite based single-leaf structure for sound insulation

Abstract

The present study deals with the development of a mathematical equation that effectively predicts the sound insulation
performance of a single-leaf structure constructed using jute composites with varying resin uptake ratios. The investigation
employs a reference device to measure the transmission loss (TL) of sound energy as it propagates through a single-leaf
structure. The objective is to investigate the impact of structural parameters, namely thickness, theoretical density, and
compaction factor, on the attenuation of sound waves within the frequency range of 50–3150 Hz. It has been revealed that
an increase in resin uptake, i.e. lower fibre content, is associated with a higher occurrence of voids inside the structure. The
presence of voids inside the jute composites is inversely related to TL, while at a given fibre content, transmission loss is
linearly related to the areal density of a single-leaf structure, regardless of the thickness of the jute composite. The derived
equation for predicting the transmission loss of sound propagating through a single-leaf is expressed as the modified mass
law of sound. This equation demonstrates that the mass of an individual leaf structure has a substantial effect on
transmission loss, surpassing the influence of frequency. The study provides evidence that the jute composite can be
engineered to achieve a degree of transmission loss that is comparable to the materials commonly used for sound insulation
applications.