Computation of Sound Transmission Loss and Absorption Coefficient of Multi-Layer Systems

Sound transmission and absorption of multi-layer sound absorbents are discussed in this manuscript. A new matrix formulation based on four pole parameters is utilized to derive the transmission loss and absorption coefficient of the absorbents. A transfer matrix relating pressure to acoustic velocity provides the required information to calculate the transmission loss and absorption coefficient. The multi-layer sound absorbents considered are structural panels, elastic porous linings and air-gaps. No limitations are imposed on the number of layers. Some realistic configurations of a multi-layer sound absorbent are studied to demonstrate the applicability of the four-pole parameter technique.