Acoustic Characterization of Wood Based on the Absorption Coefficient to Evaluate Its Application in Reducing Noise Pollution

Chávez J.; Pilco V.; Cayllahua L.; Chapilliquen A.; Ccaza G.; Ayala K. · Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation (2026) · DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-11306-1_33

Resumen

Noise pollution represents a major health problem for the modern world. Reducing the exposure of inhabitants to noise would help to avoid health effects. In timber construction, building acoustics is a crucial aspect to ensure the well-being of residents and users. Due to the significant impact of material physical properties and joint design on sound transmission behavior, achieving effective sound insulation poses a fundamental challenge. This research aims to acoustically characterize three Peruvian timber species of major commercial use in order to evaluate their application in building envelopes and thus reduce noise pollution. For this purpose, the absorption coefficient of each timber species was calculated using an impedance tube. Acoustic pressure data and acoustic airflow were measured, following the methodological criteria of the ISO 104-2 standard. The results show that Copaiba wood species shows two sound absorption peaks at 456 Hz and 2400 Hz with an energetic balance from 2500 Hz. Radiata pine wood shows a maximum absorbing behavior at a frequency of 1512 Hz with a tendency to an energetic balance in the interval between 1200 to 1900 Hz. And Tornillo wood shows an outstanding peak corresponding to a frequency of 2400 Hz with an energetic balance from 2500 Hz. It is concluded that the energetic behavior of the analyzed woods shows a dissipation of acoustic energy and its absorption by means of impedance resistance and reactance. At the same time, it is visualized that in a frequency range from 2500 to 300 Hz there is an energetic balance that results in the highest point of acoustic absorption. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

Instituciones: Universidad Católica San Pablo