Flanking transmission paths, not the partition itself, limit sound isolation
Evidence
Flanking paths, which are the main limitation to sound isolating structures, arise when there are other paths that the sound can travel through in order to get round, that is, flank, the sound isolating structure, as shown in Figure 6.58. Typical paths for flanking are the building structure, heating pipes, and, most commonly, ventilation systems or air leaks. The effect of the building structure can be reduced by building a “floating room,” as shown in Figure 6.59, which removes the effect of the building structure by floating the room on springs away from it. — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 2170
Categorization
- DEFINE: Defines ‘flanking path’ as any alternative route sound takes around a sound-isolating structure.
- XREF: connects to: Sound isolation depends on flanking paths more than the barrier itself — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 2169; Sound isolation doubles only when partitions are acoustically independent of each other; Dissimilar layers and reduced coupling raise real-world sound isolation. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2119 (+2 more)
Broader Connections
- Air leaks and ventilation paths defeat sound isolation more than walls do
#exemplifies(0.90) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2124 - Sound isolation doubles only when partitions are acoustically independent of each other
#qualifies(0.78) - Dissimilar layers and reduced coupling raise real-world sound isolation.
#corroborates(0.72) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2119 - Good noise isolation reduces preferred playback levels and hearing damage
#expands(0.70)