Version 7.0 September 2012

Marshall Day Acoustics are delighted to release version 7.0. We have come a long way since version 4.5 in 1997 (the first version offered for sale). After some very hard work, going back to basic theory we have developed prediction models for triple panel walls. These have been tested against laboratory measurements and acceptable agreement was obtained.

IN another major new improvement the materials databases that INSUL uses have been made more easily accessible. Now all the materials for different regions are combined into one database, and the user can choose to filter by region so that just one, or perhaps 2 or 3 regions materials are displayed. In addition the user can add their own materials to a user's database. This user database will not be over written by upgrades (unlike the main INSUL databases) and so the user can maintain their own specific materials.

The sound level differences of a construction can now be auralised over loudspeakers or headphones, this includes impact sound levels.

Finally the sound transmission loss at specific angles of incidence can now be predicted for single panels, of interest for outdoor to indoor propogation at high frequencies.

Version 6.4 November 2010

Marshall Day Acoustics are very pleased to release version 6.4. The new features include such major improvements as the ability to estimate The impact sound level of light weight timber floors (IIC, Ln,w). Previously only concrete or masonry floors could be calculated. Typical floors with plywood, particle board, or OSB fixed to timber joists are able to be handled by INSUL, with or without plasterboard or similar ceilings.

Significant improvement in types of materials that can be modelled. Two new material types, elastic core materials, and inelastic core materials have been added. Elastic core materials can be used to model sandwich panels that have steel skins with a polystyrene or similar core. Extra parameters required in the materials file include the core density, thickness, damping and elastic modulus. Standard materials (i.e. all previous Insul materials) are now called isotropic materials.

The transmission loss of porous blankets such as fibreglass or mineral wool can be predicted.

A porous facing can be added to a construction. This would be typical of an acoustic panel system for machine enclosures, or metal roofs incorporating a perforated pan.

The prediction of profiled metal panels has been improved. The algorithms of Lam and Windle have been incorporated and these can be used over the range of profiles that Lam and Windle state they are applicable. Profiled or corrugated panels can be used in double panel arrangements.

There is a text file (profile.txt) which has a selection of pre-defined trapezoidal profiles

Floor coverings can be edited from within INSUL with a built in editor. Data can be cut and pasted from external sources such as spreadsheets.

Colour of materials can be specified in the materials file. These colours are used in the on screen drawing and printouts of the construction.

Improved ability to cut and paste data to and from the reference columns.

New html help file (to suit Windows 7), updated and improved content.

“Recent files” list on the files menu.

User can replace logo on print out with their own logo.

Printing has been tidied up with printing, pdf and print preview now identical code, with larger print preview. Should suit both A4 and letter sized paper.

Triple glazing algorithms have been modified slightly to improve agreement with test data.

A new frame type (Z-Girt) has been added.

The parameters in the absorption.txt file have been extended by adding the density of the material and a colour (which shows in the on screen picture and on the printouts).

 

Version 6.3 August 2009

This new version of Insul has three main new features. Firstly it can calculate the sound level produced by rain falling on a light weight roof with or without a ceiling underneath the roof. Secondly it now has a built in calculator for predicting the sound level in a room for a given outdoor sound level, this calculates according to EN 12354/3. Thirdly it can predict the transmission loss of triple glazing.

The rain noise prediction is based on original research carried out by Marshall Day Acoustics and it is very useful for countries where rain fall is high and buildings are often constructed from light weight materials. The original research was prompted by problems in New Zealand classrooms where it was impossible to hear a teacher's voice at times of high rainfall.

The Outdoor to Indoor calculator is a simple tool for estimating the internal noise levels for a given external noise level at the building facade. There are some pre-defined spectra which can be easily adjusted to a given A weighted level or the user can enter the frequency spectrum of the sound level together with the area of the building element, the transmission loss of that element (o rimport from INSUL) then the volume of the receiving room and its reverberation time. The indoor level is then calculated according toEN12354/3. Up to 5 elements can be combined in one calculation. The calculation can be made in octave or 1/3 octave bands.

New Sound Absorption Prediction Software

Zorba is a software package designed to predict the sound absorption coefficients of porous materials with a wide variety of slotted, perforated or panel coverings. Details can be found at this website