INSUL is a program for predicting the sound insulation of walls, floors, roofs, ceilings and windows. Impact sound and rain noise of floors and roof. The programme can make good estimates of the Transmission Loss (TL) or Impact Sound (Ln) in 1/3 octave bands and Weighted Sound Reduction Index (STC or Rw) or Impact Rating (IIC/LnTw) for use in noise transfer calculations or acoustical design or specification.
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.
INSUL has been available for over 15 years, and has undergone considerable improvements over this time. It has evolved over many releases and into a very easy to use tool that takes advantage of the Windows and Mac environments, 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 for 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.
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.