An Introduction to SOUNDCELL

With the 2003 introduction of SOUNDCELL acoustical masonry units, Proudfoot now offers architects and contractors even more noise control options with the added touch of grace and elegance. Create an improved environment in architectural masonry acoustics. The SOUNDCELL unit's design innovation Is your practical solution to effectively absorb problem noise, diffuse sound energy, thoroughly capture flutter echo, standing waves and sound intensity annoyances - with style.

Absorbtion, Diffusion, Style

SOUNDCELL® architectural acoustical concrete masonry units provide built-in sound control for areas of public access where noise pollution is a problem. Available in 8" or 12" thickness, SOUNDCELL units are load-bearing with compressive strengths comparable to standard CMUs of similar composition. Installed conventionally - in stack bond with little or no added labor, the in-place cost of SOUNDCELL is low by comparison to most other acoustical materials.

Diffusion is the random reflection and dispersion of the sound path after striking irregular shaped surfaces and reliefs. Many rooms utilizing flat, exposed masonry promote sound "bounce" and problematic reflections. SOUNDCELL units improve the quality and nature of sound by providing desirable diffusion with their innovative grid and impressed form.

Ideal for schools, houses of worship, manufacturing plants, arenas, water treatment facilities and other structures where excessive noise can be generated, SOUNDCELL units are available throughout the United States through a network of licensed concrete block manufacturers that make the product locally to a series of strict specifications.

Specifications

Provide SOUNDCELL acoustical masonry units conforming to ASTM C-90 or ASTM C-129, with factory-installed noise attenuating fillers.

STORAGE, HANDLING & INSTALLATION: SOUNDCELL units shall be kept dry and handled to protect from chipping. Units shall be laid in stacked bond only with 3/8" mortar joints. Mortar joints shall be struck flush, filled and dressed on the face-side of the units, and shall be tooled, brushed, and finish-tooled on the backside of the units. Contractor shall keep units clean and dry during installation. Units shall be laid consistent with the best concrete masonry practices, including: full face shell mortar bedding, control joints and wire reinforcing (utilize 10" wire for 12" units; 6" wire for 8" units). Solid Tops, Bond Beams, or Thickened face-shell units shall be utilized as a course separating the SOUNDCELL units from the regular utility CMUs in order to ensure correct face-shell alignment. (See critical wall section detail and review with Engineer and Mason Contractor.)

 

ABSORPTION HELMHOLTZ RESONATOR CAPTURE & ELIMINATE NOISE

SOUNDCELL utilizes a stacking, slot-type, Helmholtz volume resonator to achieve sound absorption at all frequencies. The 12½ unit offers an unmatched 100% average absorption efficiency at the 100-125-160-200 Hz frequency bandwidth. This low frequency absorption is invaluable in supplying sound control that cannot be captured by carpets, drapes, acoustical tiles and similar items.

STANDING WAVE RESONANT FREQUENCIES CONTROL ROOM RESONANCE

A typical square room design with parallel surfaces supports standing waves (notes and noises are sustained louder and longer) at frequencies which are determined by the size of the room. The fundamental resonant frequencies associated with room dimensions fall primarily in the bass (low frequency) range and give the building space a “boomy” quality. SOUNDCELL does not produce opposite parallel surface planes and has an effective 1.2 absorption coefficient at the difficult-to-treat 125 Hz octave band to control the standing wave - resonant frequency effect.

DIFFUSION IMPROVE SOUND QUALITY

Diffusion is the random reflection and dispersion of the sound path after striking irregular shaped surfaces and reliefs. Many rooms utilizing flat, exposed masonry promote sound ‘bounce' and problematic reflections. SOUNDCELL improves the quality and nature of sound by providing desirable diffusion with its innovative grid and impressed form.

FLUTTER ECHO ARREST SOUND ANNOYANCE

Flutter echo is characterized by discrete replications of the original source sound between two highly sound reflective surfaces more than 30 feet apart. Often heard as a high frequency ‘ringing' or ‘buzzing', it can be an annoyance to speech intelligibility as well as confusing to the ear. Flutter can be reduced by skewing walls as little as one inch to one foot (1:12). SOUNDCELL has 77% of its surface area skewed to a (3:12) ratio in order to arrest this flutter echo annoyance.

 

Installation Examples