The latest Italian laws on acoustic pollution (Law n. 447/95 and relative directives) have focused attention on the acoustic performance of construction materials; in this field the use of expanded clay products is particularly indicated for their sound absorption and insulating properties. Expanded clay is a truly versatile material and used extensively in construction, e.g. lightened concrete for floors and coverings and production of thermal blocks for walls and roofs; these products have recently been used also in the field of transport to build sound absorbing asphalts and acoustic barriers. 1,2. Loose expanded clay is used also in coating blast furnace chimneys. The Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Perugia has carried out a study in the past years for ANPAE (National Association of Manufacturers of Expanded Clay) on the acoustic properties of expanded clay products and manufactured items.3. This paper illustrates the measurement results of the absorption coefficient of loose expanded clay for different granulometries and manufacturers. The measurements taken at the Acoustic Laboratory of the University of Perugia show how expanded clay has good acoustic absorption properties (a> 0.7) in a wide frequency range (300-2000 Hz).The experimental results were then compared with values calculated with a calculation model, suitably calibrated for this use. The comparison showed a good correlation.

Sound absorption properties of loose expanded clay of various granulometries

ASDRUBALI, Francesco
2000

Abstract

The latest Italian laws on acoustic pollution (Law n. 447/95 and relative directives) have focused attention on the acoustic performance of construction materials; in this field the use of expanded clay products is particularly indicated for their sound absorption and insulating properties. Expanded clay is a truly versatile material and used extensively in construction, e.g. lightened concrete for floors and coverings and production of thermal blocks for walls and roofs; these products have recently been used also in the field of transport to build sound absorbing asphalts and acoustic barriers. 1,2. Loose expanded clay is used also in coating blast furnace chimneys. The Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Perugia has carried out a study in the past years for ANPAE (National Association of Manufacturers of Expanded Clay) on the acoustic properties of expanded clay products and manufactured items.3. This paper illustrates the measurement results of the absorption coefficient of loose expanded clay for different granulometries and manufacturers. The measurements taken at the Acoustic Laboratory of the University of Perugia show how expanded clay has good acoustic absorption properties (a> 0.7) in a wide frequency range (300-2000 Hz).The experimental results were then compared with values calculated with a calculation model, suitably calibrated for this use. The comparison showed a good correlation.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11391/12620
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