D. Borelli et al.

Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics

Volume 14, 2011 http://acousticalsociety.org/

162nd Meeting
Acoustical Society of America
San Diego, California
31 October - 4 November 2011
Session 5aNSb: Noise

5aNSb2. Theoretical and numerical modelling of a parallel-baffle rectangular duct

Davide Borelli*, Corrado Schenone and Ilaria Pittaluga

*Corresponding author’s address: DIME, University of Genova, Via all’Opera Pia 15/A, Genova, 16145, GE, Italy,
davide.borelli@unige.it
The paper describes the theoretical and numerical analysis of sound attenuation in a parallel-baffle rectangular duct.
Insertion losses in a frequency range up to 8000 Hz were predicted by means of a FEM numerical model and by means of
analytical models from Sabine and Kurze. The models were then validated in the frequency range from 125 to 8000 Hz by
comparing theoretical and numerical results with experimental data obtained in accordance to EN ISO 11691 and EN ISO
7235 standards. The results of the comparison indicate that the behavior of such a dissipative/reactive silencer, with its
internal-reflections and energy dissipation phenomena, can be predicted quite well by the FEM model on the whole
frequency range. On the contrary, analytical models show little accuracy and such predictions are not always so accurate
as design requires; besides, the complexity of the analytical approach tends to limit its application to the common design
practice. Overall comparisons suggest that FEM modeling can be an accurate and inexpensive way to predict sound atten-
uation in parallel-baffle mufflers and fulfill the ever rising needs of proper methods in acoustic design of AC and ventila-
tion plants.

Published by the Acoustical Society of America through the American Institute of Physics

© 2012 Acoustical Society of America [DOI: 10.1121/1.4769411]

Received 22 Aug 2012; published 4 Dec 2012
Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, Vol. 14, 040004 (2012) Page 1
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