Comparative analysis of the acoustic properties of granular materials determined with the use of impedance tube

The results of acoustic property tests for six types of granular materials: perlite, vermiculite, active coconut carbon, rubber granulates, pumice and wood chips, which can be used in noise protection structures, are shown in the article. The characteristics of the normal incidence sound absorption coefficient and the normal incidence sound transmission loss for material specimens with seven thicknesses in the range of 10-100 mm were determined based on the results of experimental tests carried out with the use of an impedance tube. The relationships between the first resonant absorption frequencies and the thicknesses of material specimens were determined. Single-number indices for the tested materials, in the form of the weighted sound absorption coefficients, were determined. Subsequently, dependencies of these indices on the surface mass of the tested materials were determined. The research showed that three materials, perlite, vermiculite and active coconut carbon, were distinguished among the examined granules with the best sound-absorbing and sound-insulating properties. Active coconut carbon had the best sound-insulating properties among the granular materials tested.