Transmission Loss of Some Masonry Walls

The transmission loss of very large, single, solid walls is given by the “coincidence-effect” theory as presented by L. Cremer and others. The results of this theory have been compared with data from field measurements on some typical, masonry walls and are found to be in fairy good agreement. The differences which exist are believed to reflect the inapplicability of the theory to finite sized walls and the imperfection of the sound diffusion in the test rooms. An empirical design technique is presented which agrees more closely with typical field results. The hollow masonry block walls which were studied behave much like solid walls with the same surface weight and bending stiffness. Laboratory techniques are described for measuring the physical constants of these and other materials. Tests made on a typical lightweight aggregate masonry block show that the porosity through the block faces does not greatly reduce the transmission loss. However, painting such a block may increase the bending stiffness of the wall and slightly alter the transmission loss.