The influence of signal type and distance to the sound source on sound transmission through small 3D printed polymer panels

Abstract

Abstract. The sound insulation of some spaces is possible using panels made of polymer materials manufactured by 3D printing. It is expected that the intensity of the sound signal after passing through a small wall made of polymeric material will be affected by the type of sound signal and the distance at which the sound is received. In the case of previous experimental research, the influence exerted by some parameters of the 3D printing process on the sound insulation capacity of walls made of polymeric materials was largely considered. In the case of the present paper, experimental research was carried out aiming to identify empirical mathematical models capable of highlighting the influence of the sound type and distance on the intensity of the sound signal after passing through the panel. The experimental tests were carried out on equipment designed to investigate different factors' influence on the sound signal's impact when passing through small panels. An empirical mathematical model was identified through the mathematical processing of the experimental results. The empirical mathematical model highlights the influence exerted by the shape of the electrical signal used to generate the sounds and, respectively, the distance between the sound source and the sensor of a sound level meter on the energy absorbed by the small panel from a polymeric material.