Analytical design and multi-parameter optimization of micro-perforated double-panel partitions for normal-incidence broadband sound transmission loss

Tahir Muhammad Ali
Department of Computer Science, Gulf University for Sciences and Technology, Safat 13060, Kuwait
Yogeesh Nijalingappa
Department of Mathematics, Government First Grade College, Tumkur 572102, India; Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Gulf University for Science and Technology, Safat 13060, Kuwait; Faculty of Business and Communications, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia
Asokan Vasudevan
Faculty of Business and Communications, INTI International University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia
Rajashree Jain K S
Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune 411016, India
P. William
School of Computer Science and Technology, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences (Deemed University), Coimbatore 641114, India; Centre for Research and Consultancy, UNITAR International University, Petaling Jaya 47301, Malaysia

Article ID: 4627

Keywords: sound transmission loss; double-panel partition; micro-perforated panel; transfer-matrix model; broadband optimization

Abstract

An analytical and computation-based framework is presented for designing a micro-perforated double-panel partition with improved broadband sound transmission loss. The study combines closed-form expressions, transfer matrices, dimensionless design parameters and tabulated numerical values to support practical acoustic design. In the present work, a thin micro-perforated panel is asymmetrically inserted into the cavity spanning between two parallel panels that are separated by an air cavity forming coupled resonant mechanisms. This normal-incidence transfer-matrix model is composed of panel impedances, cavity propagation matrices and Maa-type micro-perforate impedance formulas. A local Helmholtz-type estimate of transmission loss and the mass-air-mass resonance are stated explicitly, followed by a simultaneous optimization of hole diameter, perforation ratio, micro-perforated sheet thickness and cavity split over a target frequency band. Over the 100–2,000 Hz band, the optimized asymmetric micro-perforated design improves the weighted average transmission loss by 6.49 dB and the arithmetic band-average transmission loss by 9.33 dB relative to the baseline double panel, with the strongest gains occurring in the upper octave bands. Parameter sweeps show that smaller perforations and slightly asymmetric cavity splits yield the best broadband trade-off for this case. Because the optimum occurs at the stated lower manufacturing bounds, it is interpreted as a constrained design result. Diffuse-field incidence, elastic plate dynamics, manufacturing tolerances, and experimental validation remain for future work.

Published

2026-08-17

How to Cite

Muhammad Ali, T., Nijalingappa, Y., Vasudevan, A., K S, R. J., & William, P. (2026). Analytical design and multi-parameter optimization of micro-perforated double-panel partitions for normal-incidence broadband sound transmission loss. Sound & Vibration, 60(5). https://doi.org/10.59400/sv4627

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Vol. 60 No. 5 (2026): In Progress

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Article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Analytical design and multi-parameter optimization of micro-perforated double-panel partitions for normal-incidence broadband sound transmission loss

Abstract

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