User Guide#

INSUL is a program for predicting the sound insulation of walls, floors, ceilings and windows.

INSUL is based on theoretical models that require only minimal information but can make reasonable estimates of the sound transmission loss (TL) and Sound Transmission Class (STC) for use in sound insulation calculations, or design of intertenancy partitions etc. INSUL can be used to quickly evaluate new materials or systems or investigate the effects of changes to existing designs.

It models materials using the simple mass law and critical frequency approach and models more complex partitions using work by B.H. Sharp, Cremer and others. It has evolved over several versions into an easy to use tool that takes advantage of the Windows environment and has refined the theoretical models by continued comparison with laboratory tests to provide acceptable accuracy for a wide range of constructions.

Users should be aware of its limitations, like any prediction tool it is not a substitute for test data. Comparisons with test data show that it generally within 3 STC/R_w points for most.

Extra features#

INSUL can also be used for a range of calculations and modelling tasks associated with sound insulation, including:

Predicting impact sound pressure levels
Predicting rain noise
Predicting sound insulation of leaks
Calculating composite transmission loss or sound reduction
Calculating outdoor to indoor sound levels

Modelling Accuracy#

Comparisons with test data show that its generally within 3 STC/R_w points for most constructions. The accuracy is, however, less for triple panel constructions for which the estimated uncertainty may be as high as 5 STC points.

Important

Users should be aware of its limitations, like any prediction tool it is not a substitute for test data.

The following papers provide detailed discussions of INSUL's prediction accuracy:

Ballagh, K. O. (2004). Accuracy of prediction methods for sound transmission loss provides a fuller discussion of the expected accuracy of airborne sound insulation calculations.
Griffin, D. (2014). Accuracy of prediction methods for impact sound pressure levels provides a discussion of the expected accuracy of impact sound pressure level calculations.
Griffin, D., & Ballagh, K. (2012). A consolidated theory for predicting rain noise presents a discussion of rain noise prediction.