Emerging Materials for Acoustic Panels: Lightweight Concrete Slabs
Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Civil/Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering
Session: 2
Room: Exhibit Hall A
Kenny Hall - University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Co-Author(s): O. Marcelo Suarez, University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Carla Lopez del Puerto, University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
Acoustic or sound-absorbing panels are used to reduce noise pollution and echo. Traditionally, acoustic panels are made of porous materials to create vain spaces allowing the sound energy to dissipate. This dissipation results from the thermal loss caused by the friction between the air molecules and the pore walls. Usually, the designs of these panels hinge on the use of material such as acoustic foam, fabric panels, and cotton batts. Such conventional designs present some drawbacks: dust attraction, humidity absorption, mold, and deterioration. Consequently, this work aims to develop a new technique to make a more efficient and durable acoustic panel using an eco-friendly concrete as the primary material. The purpose of this study is to design a lightweight concrete slab to replace the use of conventional sound-absorbing panels. This concrete contains recycled polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics in substitution of natural coarse aggregate. The plastic aggregates not only help to build sustainable panels but also forms a porous concrete mixture. The sound-absorbing properties along with the light weight permits an easier installation. A classroom with a notable echo was selected to test the effectiveness of the concrete slab. The Reverberation Room Method allowed measuring the absorption coefficient of the slabs according to ASTM C 423 specifications. This study presents preliminary results of the design and construction of lightweight concrete panels.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant No. HSI #1832468 (HSI program). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Faculty Advisor: Carla Lopez del Puerto, carla.lopezdelpuerto@upr.edu
Role: I conducted the literature review to investigate current materials for acoustic panels, Based on the results of the literature review, we proposed to investigate the use of concrete to develop a more efficient and durable system. I worked on the materials lab to create the concrete mixtures and molds to perform the tests. I analyzed the results of the compression tests.