ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION

MATERIALS

ACOUSTICAL MATERIALS USED IN

CONSTRUCTION FOR ACOUSTRICAL
All building materials and TREATMENT
surface treatments used in the construction
of auditoriums have the capacity to absorb sound to a certain degree.
TYPES OF ACOUSTIC MATERIAL ACC. TO THEIR PROPERTIES :
Porous materials
Acoustical plasters & sprayed on materials
Acoustical blankets
Carpets and fabrics

ACOUSTICAL
MATERIALS

Panel (or memberane) absorbers

Cavity (or helmholtz) resonaters
Ndiviusual cavity resonaters
Perforated panel resonaters
Slit resonaters
Space absorbers
Variable absorbers

POROUS MATERIALS
POROUS MATERIALS : Fibre boards , soft plasters , mineral wools , and

isolation blankets
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS : These are cellular network of interlocking

pores. Incident sound energy is converted to heat energy within the

pores .The fraction of incident sound thus converted to heat absorbed ,
while the remainder , reduced in energy.

(A) A GOOD ABSORBER ATTACHED TO A

POOR INSULATOR (PLYWOOD IS
USED)
(B) A GOOD ABSORBER ATTACHED TO A
POOR INSULATOR (SOUND-

FIBRE
BOARDS

MINERAL WOOLS

ACOUSTICAL PLASTERS AND SPRAYED ON

MATERIALS

MATERIALS : Sprayed limpet abestos , zonolite , vermiculate , sound

shield , glatex , dekoosto , etc.

BASIC CHARACTERISTICS : These acustical finishes are mostlt used for
noise reduction purposes & sometimes in auditoriums where any other
acoustical treatment would be impractical because of the curved of
irregular shape of the surface. They are applied in a semiplastic
consistency , either by spray gun or by hand trowelling.

LIMPET
ABESTOS

AVERAGE
ABSORPTION OF A
ACOUSTICAL TILE

ZONOLITE

ACOUSTICAL (ISOLATION) BLANKETS

MATERIALS : Rock wool , glass fibres , wood fibres , hair felt , etc.
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS : These are used i varying thicknesses b/w
1 to 5 in. Their absorption increases wih thickness , particularly at low
frequencies.Since acoustical blankets do not constitute aesthetically
satisfactory finish , they are normally covered with a suitable type of
perforated board , wood slats , fly screening etc.

ROCK WOOL

EFFECT OF PAINT ON
POROUS PREFABRICATED
ACOUSTICAL UNITS

WOOD FIBRE

GLASS FIBRE

CARPETS AND FABRICS

BASIC CHARACTERISTICS : In addition to their traditional role as
floor coverings , carpets are now being used as versatile acoustical
materials because they absorb airbonr sound and noises within the room
, they reduce and in some cases almost completely eliminate impact
noises from above , they eliminate surface noises (shuffeling of feet ,
clicking of heels , moving of furniture).

CARPETS

SOUND ABSORPTION
PLYWOOD SPACED 3
IN. FROM WALL

CARPET

PANEL (OR MEMBRANE) ABSORBERS

BASIC CHARACTERISTICS : The non perforated panel , or membrane ,
absorbs represents the second group of sound-absorbing materials. Any
impervious material installed on a solid backing but separated from it by
an air space will act as a panel absorber and will vibrate when struck by
sound waves. The flexural vibration of the panel will then absorb a certain
amount of incident sound energy by converting it into heat energy.

TYPICAL INSTALLATION
OG A PERFORATED
RESONATOR

PANELS PLACED ON THE WALLS

CAVITY RESONATORS
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS : The cavity resonators , the third and last
group of sound absorbents , consist of an enclosed body of air confined
within rigid walls and connected by a narrow opening (called the neck) to
the surrounding space ,, in which the sound waves travel.
A cavity resonator absorbs maximum sound energy in a narrow region of
the frequency band . an empty jar or bottle , as described in sec. 4.6 ,
also acts as a cavity resonator ; however it s maximum absorption is
confined to a narrow frequency band ; that is , it is extremely selective in
its absorption.

CAVITY RESONATORS CAN BE APPLIED

a) As indiviusual units
b) As perforated panel resonators
c) As slit resonators

CAVITY RESONATOR INSTALLATION

INDIVIUSUAL CAVITY RESONATOR

Individual cavity resonator a made of empty clay vessels of different sizes

were used in medieval Scandinavian churches. Their effective absorption
spread between 100 and 400 hz. Standard concrete blocks using a
regular concrete mixture but with slotted cavities , called soundblox units
, constitute a contemporary version of the cavity resonator.

PERFORATED PANEL RESONATOR

Perforated panels , spaced away from a solid backing , provide a widely
used practical application of the cavity resonator principle. They contain
a large number of necks , constituting the perforation of the panel , thus
functioning as an array of cavity resonators. He perforation are usually
circular .The air space behind the perforation forms the undivided body
of resonator , separated into bays by horizontal and vertical elements of
the framing system.

SLIT RESONATOR
In designing auditoriums the desired acoustical effect can be
accomplished by using relatively inexpensive isolation blankets along
the room surfaces. Due to their porosity , isolation blankets need
protection against abrasion. The popularity of slit resonators in the
acoustical control of auditorium is due to the fact that they offer a wide
choice for individual design , although they are more expensive than the
commercial , sometimes monotonous standard acoustical materials. Slitresonators absorbers , using cavity bricks , special cavity concrete
blocks.

ALTERNATIVE SERIES OF
WOOD SLATS

SLIT RESONATOR

SPACE ABSORBERS
MATERIALS : Space absorbers are made of perforated sheets (steel ,
aluminium , hardboard etc.) In the shape of panels , prisms , cubes ,
spheres , cylinders , or single or double conical shells and are generally
filled or lined with sound-absorbing materials such as rock wool , glass
wool etc.
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS : When the regular boundary enclousers of
an auditorium do not provide suitable or adequate area for conventional
acoustical treatment , sound absorbing objects , called space absorbers
or functional absorbers , can be suspended as indivisual units from the
ceiling.

PERFORATED
ALUMINIUM SHEET

PERFORATED
HARDBOARD SHEET

PERFORATED STEEL
SHEETS WITH DIFF
DIFFERENT SIZES

VARIABLE ABSORBERS
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS : Several attempts to do so have been
made in the past , particularly in radio studios , where a noticable
change in the rt is a frquently necessary . for this purpose various
sliding , hinged , movable , and rotataeble panels have been constructed
that can expose either reflective or absorptive surfaces.

WORKING OF VARIABLE ABSORBER

SCHEMATIC ILLUSTRATION OF
VARIABTION ABSORBERS WHICH
PROVIDE MEANS FOR ALTERING THE
ABSORPTION AND THUS THE RT

FIRE RESISTANT BOARDS

 Afire resistantmaterialis one that is designed to resistburningand

withstandheat.
It is used in thebunker gearworn by fire-fightersto protect them
from theflamesof a burning building.
Fireproofingis rendering something (structures, materials, etc.)
Proof against fire, or incombustible; or material for use in making
anything fire-proof.
It is a passive fire protectionmeasure.
An item classed as fireproof is resistant in specified circumstances,
and may burn or be rendered inoperable by fire exceeding the
intensity or duration that it is designed to withstand.

CALCIUM SILICATE BOARDS

Calcium Silicate Boards are one of the largest selling

building boards across the world.
It is preferred over plaster boards due to the strength of the
material & also the manufacturing process.
It possesses some of the core properties that are not found in
contemporary building materials.
It is made with Silicate and Calcium materials as aggregates
and strong cellulose fibre as reinforcing materials.

 They have a stable crystalline structure.

Calcium Silicate Boardsofferedfinds use in reduction of heat
through heat transfer process and can be made available in
various sizes with high compressive strength that ensures it
does not crack or shrink under high temperature.
100 % asbestos free, lightweight and non-combustible, offer
superior architectural flexibility, non brittle that allows them
to be nailed or planed, can be painted so as to provide for
good finish.

Properties:

Thickness: 6 / 8 / 10 / 12 mm
Density: 900 950 kg/cm2
Impact Strength: 1200 1700 J / m2
Flexural Strength: 5 6 N / mm2 (Transverse); 10 11 M /
mm2 (Longitudinal)
Moisture Content: 12 15 %
Thermal Conductivity: 0.13 Kcal / hr m degC

PERLITE BOARDS
Perliteis anamorphousvolcanic glassthat has a
relatively highwatercontent, typically formed by the
hydration ofobsidian (a naturally occurringvolcanic
glassformed as anextrusive igneous rock.).
It occurs naturally and has the unusual property of
greatly expanding when heated sufficiently.
It is anindustrial mineral and a commercial product
useful for its light weight after processing.

 This type of board is made up of expanded granulated

volcanic rock (perfite) and of cellulosic fibres held together
by a binder.
Perlite is different from other volcanic glasses because when
the crushed ore is heated to a suitable point in its softening
range, it expands from 4 to 20 times its original volume.
Used for low-slope roofing systems, perlite insulation is
manufactured as a rigid board that is composed of these
expanded volcanic minerals combined with organic fibers and
binders.
An asphalt emulsion is used to treat the top surface to inhibit
the absorption of bitumen.
Perlite is compatible with bitumen and other adhesives, fireresistant, dimensionally stable, and compatible with other
roofing materials.
The boards are covered with a specific coating which

 The board will withstand impact, but care must be taken

when handling the boards because they can break easily.
The thermal resistance of the insulation is stable, but it has a
relatively low R-value.
Typically, perlite is not used with ballasted, loose-laid
membranes because the board will readily absorb moisture.

Advantages:

Properties:

- Natural, environmentalfriendly, Non-toxic and no

radioactivity.
- Fireproof, anti-corrosion.
- Light density with good
insulation for heating & sound.

- Density: 350-450kg/m3
- Anti-bend intensity: 8Mpa
- Compressive strength: 0.350.8Mpa
- Thermal conductivity: 0.0350.075W/(m. K)
- Moisture content(%): 10
- Wet expansion rate(%): 0.25
- Fireproof limit: 0.6-2h
- Fireproof temperature:
1300degree
- Sound-absorption coefficient:

GYPSUM BOARDS

Gypsumis a softsulphate mineralcomposed ofcalcium

sulphate dihydrate, with thechemical
formulaCaSO42H2O.

It can be used as afertilizer, and is the main constituent in

many forms ofplasterand is widely mined.

Gypsum board is primarily used as a finish for walls and

ceilings, and is known in construction asdrywall,
sheetrock or plasterboard.

Drywall is a panel made ofgypsum plasterpressed

between two thick sheets of paper. It is used to make
interior walls and ceilings.

Different thickness and multiple layers of wallboard

provide increased fire rating based on the time a specific

Advantages:
-

Ease of installation
Fire resistance
Sound isolation
Durability
Economy
Versatility

Ease of installation:

Gypsum board building systems are easy to install for several

reasons. Gypsum board panels are relatively large compared to
other materials.

They come in 48- and 54-inch wide sheets and in lengths of 8, 10,
or 12 feet, so they quickly cover large wall and ceiling areas.

Gypsum board assemblies require only a few tools for their

construction.

Gypsum board can be cut with either a utility knife or a variety of

saws, and it can be attached with a variety of fasteners, including
screws, nails, and staples.

It can also be adhesively attached to many substrates.

Gypsum board is a lightweight material. Two workers can easily
handle most panels and cover large areas in very short time
periods.

Fire Resistance:

Gypsum board is an excellent fire-resistive building material.

Its non combustible core contains nearly 21% chemically

combined water, as described earlier, which, under high heat,
is slowly released as steam.

Because steam will not exceed 100 degrees Celsius under

normal atmospheric pressure, it very effectively retards the
transfer of heat and the spread of fire.

Even after complete calcination, when all the water has been
released from its core, gypsum board continues to serve as a
heat-insulating barrier.

Moreover, tests conducted show that gypsum board has a low

flame-spread index and a low smoke-density index.

When installed in combination with other materials in

laboratory-tested wall and ceiling assemblies, gypsum board

Durability:

Gypsum board is used to construct strong, high quality walls and ceilings
that offer excellent dimensional stability and durability.
Surfaces created using gypsum board are easily decorated and refinished.

Economy:

Gypsum board is readily available and easy to apply.

It is an inexpensive wall surfacing material that provides a fire
resistant interior finish.
Gypsum board building systems can generally be installed at
significantly lower labor costs than most alternate systems.

Versatility:
Gypsum board satisfies a wide range of architectural
requirements for design.
Ease of application, performance, ease of repair, availability, and
its adaptability to all forms of decoration combine to make gypsum
board unmatched by any other surfacing product.

Sound isolation:

Gypsum board wall and ceilings systems effectively help control

sound transmission and prevents the transfer of unwanted sound

VERMICULITE BOARD

They are natural, harmless, environmental, high organic

innovatory materials.

It is a good heat insulating material.

It has a bad reputation because it is often mined in the same

places as asbestos which contaminate the vermiculite.

It is stronger more durable and less expensive than most fiber

board and can be cut n worked just like wood.

CHARACTERISTICS:

Fire proof
Heat insulation
Sound insulation
Moisture absorbing
Insecticide tolerance
Weatherability
High tension stress
Lightweight
Fine electrical insulation
Environment friendly non toxic and disease free

FIRE-RESISTANCE
RATING

Afire-resistance ratingtypically means the duration for

which apassive fire protectionsystemcan withstand a
standard fire resistance test.

This can be quantified simply as a measure of time, or it

may entail a host of other criteria, involving other
evidence of functionality or fitness for purpose.

BOOK : ARCHITECTURAL ACOUSTICS BY LESLIE L. DOELLE

BOOK : CONCEPTS IN ARCHITECTURAL ACOUSTICS BY M.
DAVID EGAN
BOOK : AUDITORIUM DESIGN (JNAFAU LIBRARY)
INTERNET : WIKIPEDIA

REFRENCES