SOUND ABSORPTION PERFORMANCE OF FIBRE-REINFORCED CEMENT-BASED ROOFING COMPOSITES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH CONVENTIONAL ROOFING MATERIALS

This paper examined he sound absorption characteristic of fibre-based composites using fibre reinforced cement, agricultural and recycled wastes such as cornhusk fibre, pineapple leaf fibre, plastic fibre and sawdust and compares them with the conventional roofing materials such as metal sheets, aluminium sheets and asbestos roofing. A Sound Level Meter (SLM) was used to carry out experimental evaluation with a small radio acting as a noise source with a distance of approximately, 3 1/2 (76.2 mm). Background noise was between 39.2- and 52.8-dB A and the data were taken with 10-second intervals. The thickness of materials affected sound absorption and this made it possible to compare them. Findings indicated that composite tiles are more effective in acoustic insulation as compared to other traditional materials such as iron and aluminium sheets because they have differences in terms of thickness, type of material and volume. Fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) was shown to have better acoustic performance, which was due to porosity, fibre distribution and internal friction mechanisms. The maximum reading was 85.3 dB A at the origin, and the minimum reading was 64.2 dB A in the case of sawdust- fibre-reinforced tiles (SDFRT). The sheet metal used recorded 78.1 dB A. Fibre reinforced composites particularly those based on sawdust exhibited consistent broadband absorption whereas conventional materials reflected majority of sound energy. These composites are environmentally friendly, economical and can be used in acoustical insulation.