Calculation of the sound transmission between dwellings by partitions and flanking structures

Abstract A calculation model is presented for the sound transmission between dwellings by partitions and by flanking structures, based on the application of classical theory. The most important data needed are the sound reduction index for direct transmission of the different structures and the vibration level differences across junctions. Information on the reduction index is given, based on theory, taking into account the influence of boundary conditions by means of the structural reverberation time in situ . The vibration level differences have been determined for different junctions on the basis of in situ measurements. Under some—reasonable—restrictions this model gives the same results as would be achieved by applying the so-called Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA). Comparison between calculation and measurement for seventy-five different situations shows good agreement, the average predictions being correct with a standard deviation of 1·5 dB.