INSUL v6.4

Transmission loss predictions software 

PREDICT TRANSMISSION LOSS AND WEIGHTED SOUND REDUCTIOIN INDEX

INSUL is a program for predicting the sound insulation of walls, floors, ceilings and windows. The programme can make good estimates of the Transmission Loss (TL) in 1/3 octave bands and Weighted Sound Reduction Index (STC or Rw) for use in noise transfer calculations.

EVALUATE MATERIAL OR DESIGN CHANGES

INSUL can be used to quickly evaluate new materials and systems, or to investigate the effects of changes to existing designs. It models materials using well known elastic plate theory including allowances for thick panel effects as published by Ljunggren, Rindell and others. More complex partitions are modelled using work by Sharp, Cremer and others.

Sketches of constructions, diagrams and tables can easily used and copied to reports. Several results can be shown in one diagram for showing influences of additional insulation.

PREDICTION OF RAIN NOISE

INSUL can now perform predictions of rain noise according to ISO1 40-18:Laboratory measurement of sound generated by rainfall on building elements. INSUL can also perform predictions using a model for natural rainfall to simulate levels of rain noise under real conditions.

Features
Rain noise prediction for light weight and heavy roof constructions
Predictions for ISO 140-18 simulated rain or natural rainfall
Predictions for corrugated and ribbed roof panels
Predictions for single roof panels or roof panels with a ceiling beneath
Predictions of sound pressure level, sound intensity level and sound power level, with results given in third octave bands, octave bands, dBA, NC and PNC

CALCULATION OF OUTDOOR TO INDOOR TRANSMISSION

INSUL can now calculate the noise level inside a room due to outdoor noise. It takes into account the sound transmission loss (STL) of the building façade, the size of the room and its acoustical characteristics. Calculations are based on EN 12354/3:Estimation of acoustic performance in buildings from the performance of elements. Airborne sound insulation against outdoor sound. Up to five different elements (e.g. door, wall, window, roof and floor) can be included. STL data can come from INSUL or be manually entered from other data.

Several standard outdoor noise spectra are available (e.g. traffic noise, aircraft noise, entertainment noise, voice). Contribution of each path is shown numerically and graphically for easy visual ranking of importance.

This feature should find wide use as protection against outdoor noise is increasingly being required, for instance around airports, motorways, ports and in inner city apartments or the opimization of high-rise buildings. INSUL can be used to design the optimum façade element to match the design requirements.

TRIPLE GLAZING

In many countries the desire to improve the thermal insulation of windows has encouraged the use of triple glazing. INSUL now includes a method of predicting the acoustical performance of such constructions.

PREDICTION OF IMPACT SOUND FOR LIGHT WEIGHT FLOORS

INSUL can now predict the impact sound insulation of light weight floors. This is a very significant development from previous versions of INSUL which were capable of predicting impact sound insulation for massive floors such as concrete. Impact sound insulation predictions can now be carried out for different joist constructions including timber joists and ZGirts. The prediction routines are sensitive to the dimensions of the joists, their mass and spacing and all of these variables can be set independently in INSUL. A range of floor linings is available including plywood, particle board, orientated strand board (OSB) and thin timber floor boards. As with previous versions of INSUL, ceilings can also be included in the predictions, with a range of ceiling connections including directing fixing to the joists, rubber isolation clips and separate ceiling joists. INSUL also includes the option to add infill material in the cavity of the construction. See  example of prediction accuracy.

SOUND INSULATION OF SANDWICH PANELS

INSUL can now predict the sound insulation of a variety of light weight sandwich panels. A typical example would be panels with thin steel or aluminium skins, with a polystyrene or mineral wool core. For instance panels from Kingspan or Paroc. The sound insulation both of single panels and panels used in more complex constructions can be predicted. The properites of the core can be adjusted using the in built materials properties editor. In addition sandwich panels with much stiffer cores can also be predicted, a typical example would be a panel with steel facings and a light weight aerated concrete (Speedwall). See  example of prediction accuracy.

TRAPEZOIDAL PROFILED METAL PANELS

INSUL has improved the prediction of profiled metal panels, typically used for commercial and industrial buildings. Previously only single panels could be predicted, and not complex constructions using corrugated or profiled panels. New routines based on the work of Lam and Windle in England allow more accurate prediction of particular profiles, and of constructions using profiled panels in conjunction with flat sheets and in cavity constructions as well. For instance the effect of a layer of plywood underneath a profiled steel skin can be predicted. Then this can be extended by adding an airgap and a second lining, with or without an acoustic blanket in the cavity.

POROUS BLANKETS AND FACINGS

INSUL can now predict the sound transmission loss of porous blankets either alone or as a facing for a construction. Typical constructions would include modular panels for acoustic enclosures that have a steel skin with a mineral wool infill and perforated steel internal facing.

MISCELLANEOUS IMPROVEMENTS IN VERSION v6.4
• Z Girt has been added as a frame type. These structural members are used extensively in large industrial buildings and similar
• Improved print preview and PDF printing
• Built in Editor for impact sound improvement of floor coverings
• the displayed colour of materials can be specified in the materials file
• the users own logo can be displayed on printouts
• more materials now available
Compatible with Windows 7 (including 32 and 64 bit)

CONSTANTLY EVOLVING

It can predict the effect of installing an acoustic blanket in the stud cavity. It has evolved over several versions into a very easy to use tool that takes advantage of the Windows environment, and has been refined by continued comparison with laboratory tests to provide acceptable accuracy for a wide range of constructions.

Test data can be entered to permit easy comparison with predictions and constructions can be saved for later recall. INSUL takes account of finite size effects which are very important when predicting small samples such as windows and also for normal elements at low frequencies. Like any prediction tool INSUL is not a substitute for measurement. However, comparisons with test data indicate that INSUL reliably predicts STC values to within 3dB for most constructions. INSUL will greatly enhance the ability of acoustic consultants and product manufacturers to quickly and confidently specify constructions in order to achieve a desired airborne sound insulation

SPECIFY CONSTRUCTION WITH SPEED & CONFIDENCE

INSUL takes account of finite size effects which are very important when predicting small samples such as windows and also for normal elements at low frequencies.

Like any prediction tool INSUL is not a substitute for measurement. However, comparisons with test data indicate that INSUL reliably predicts STC values to within 3dB for most constructions.

INSUL will greatly enhance the ability of acoustic consultants and product manufacturers to quickly and confidently specify constructions in order to achieve a desired airborne sound insulation