Multi-layer vibro-acoustic meta-partitions with embedded Helmholtz resonators
Multi-layer vibro-acoustic meta-partitions with embedded Helmholtz resonators
Conventional partitions used for sound insulation require additional mass or thickness to improve their low-frequency sound transmission loss performance. This contradicts modern engineering applications, which seek lightweight and compact noise treatment. Acoustic metamaterials, which are usually composed of periodically arranged subwavelength unit cells, have the capabilities to offer extraordinary low-frequency sound insulation while also being lightweight and compact. However, many acoustic metamaterials exhibit only superior performance in a narrow band region compared to a partition constructed from a homogeneous material with equivalent mass, which limits their commercial use. This paper introduces a double-layer meta-partition, consisting of arrays of a new vibro-acoustic metamaterial design. The proposed vibro-acoustic metamaterials contain embedded Helmholtz resonators, thus combining both structural and acoustical resonances to increase the transmission loss at low frequencies without adding mass. Finite-element simulations were carried out to predict the transmission loss performance of the meta-partition and to understand the underlying physics behind the transmission loss peaks and dips. The finite-element simulation results showed that the proposed meta-partition design increased the bandwidth of transmission loss improvement and reduced transmission loss dips caused by partition resonances, such as the mass-air-mass resonance. An experimental proof-of-concept study was performed under impedance tube conditions, testing the proposed metamaterial unit cell samples under different conditions compared to those simulated in the numerical model. Despite different conditions, the experimental results match well with the corresponding simulation results, verifying numerical results for the infinitely large meta-partition.
Acoustic metamaterial, Finite element modelling, Helmholtz resonator, Impedance tube measurements, Noise control, Sound transmission loss
Leung, Kenneth
c0781d36-0c82-47aa-8cfa-219bd2e47334
Langfeldt, Felix
2bf86877-f2cd-4c35-be0f-e38a718a915c
9 August 2025
Leung, Kenneth
c0781d36-0c82-47aa-8cfa-219bd2e47334
Langfeldt, Felix
2bf86877-f2cd-4c35-be0f-e38a718a915c
Leung, Kenneth and Langfeldt, Felix
(2025)
Multi-layer vibro-acoustic meta-partitions with embedded Helmholtz resonators.
Journal of Sound and Vibration, 618, [119364].
(doi:10.1016/j.jsv.2025.119364).
Abstract
Conventional partitions used for sound insulation require additional mass or thickness to improve their low-frequency sound transmission loss performance. This contradicts modern engineering applications, which seek lightweight and compact noise treatment. Acoustic metamaterials, which are usually composed of periodically arranged subwavelength unit cells, have the capabilities to offer extraordinary low-frequency sound insulation while also being lightweight and compact. However, many acoustic metamaterials exhibit only superior performance in a narrow band region compared to a partition constructed from a homogeneous material with equivalent mass, which limits their commercial use. This paper introduces a double-layer meta-partition, consisting of arrays of a new vibro-acoustic metamaterial design. The proposed vibro-acoustic metamaterials contain embedded Helmholtz resonators, thus combining both structural and acoustical resonances to increase the transmission loss at low frequencies without adding mass. Finite-element simulations were carried out to predict the transmission loss performance of the meta-partition and to understand the underlying physics behind the transmission loss peaks and dips. The finite-element simulation results showed that the proposed meta-partition design increased the bandwidth of transmission loss improvement and reduced transmission loss dips caused by partition resonances, such as the mass-air-mass resonance. An experimental proof-of-concept study was performed under impedance tube conditions, testing the proposed metamaterial unit cell samples under different conditions compared to those simulated in the numerical model. Despite different conditions, the experimental results match well with the corresponding simulation results, verifying numerical results for the infinitely large meta-partition.
Text
Leung und Langfeldt - 2025 - Multi-layer vibro-acoustic meta-partitions with embedded Helmholtz resonators
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 28 July 2025
e-pub ahead of print date: 6 August 2025
Published date: 9 August 2025
Keywords:
Acoustic metamaterial, Finite element modelling, Helmholtz resonator, Impedance tube measurements, Noise control, Sound transmission loss
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 505047
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/505047
ISSN: 0022-460X
PURE UUID: b28376ca-49c8-4f4d-ab2d-af734174b8b7
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Date deposited: 24 Sep 2025 16:55
Last modified: 25 Sep 2025 02:06
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Author:
Kenneth Leung
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