Sound isolation depends on flanking paths more than the barrier itself

Evidence

Often, absorbing material is placed in the cavity between the two partitions to reduce the effect of coincidence resonances but it is important to ensure that the absorbing materials do not make contact with the two partitions or else flanking may occur. … 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. — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 2169

Categorization

• DEFINE: Establishes flanking as a central concept limiting all sound-isolating structures.
• XREF: connects to: Flanking transmission paths, not the partition itself, limit sound isolation — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 2170; Air leaks and ventilation paths defeat sound isolation more than walls do — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2124; Dissimilar layers and reduced coupling raise real-world sound isolation. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2119 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Flanking transmission paths, not the partition itself, limit sound isolation #corroborates (1.00) — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 2170
• Air leaks and ventilation paths defeat sound isolation more than walls do #expands (0.90) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2124
• Good sound absorption does not imply good sound isolation #qualifies (0.80) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2112
• Dissimilar layers and reduced coupling raise real-world sound isolation. #expands (0.78) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2119
• Sound isolation doubles only when partitions are acoustically independent of each other #qualifies (0.72)