Thermal and Acoustic Insulation deals with general aspects of thermal insulation, condensation, properties of inorganic insulation materials, organic high void insulation materials, glass, and glazing. The book also describes noise insulation, computerized insulation calculations, fire properties of insulation materials. The book explains thermal insulation, heat transfer (through conduction, convection, radiation), the theory of water vapor diffusion, and dehumidification. The two types of insulation materials in common use prevent the passage of radiant heat through reflection or by impede the flow of conducted heat. The engineer should choose insulation materials with a low thermal conductivity that also have a very high void content. The book suggests, in practice, a material with a k-value of 0.035. The other properties of insulation materials are mechanical strength, physical resistance, chemical resistance, temperature limits, fire resistance, hygroscopy, fungoid resistance, and pest resistance. The text describes a variety of materials are suitable for insulation, such as gypsum, foamed asbestos, foam glass, glass fiber wool, expanded perlite, vermiculite, and foamed plastics. The book will prove beneficial for architects, for computer programmers involved in insulation, for engineers working in building construction, insulation, fire prevention, as well as for private house- or corporate building-owners.

This report describes in detail the properties demanded of thermal insulation, the types of polymers which may be used, and the kinds of plastics products available for insulating external and internal walls, pitched and flat roofs, and floors. Efficiency and cost comparisons are made with traditional materials. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database provides useful references for further reading.

Sound insulation is an important aspect of building performance. This book is a comprehensive guide to sound and vibration theory and its application to the measurement and prediction of sound insulation in buildings. It enables the reader to tackle a wide range of issues relating to sound insulation during the design and construction stages of a building, and to solve problems in existing buildings. The book has been written for engineers, consultants, building designers, students in acoustics, researchers and those involved in the manufacture and design of building products. Key aspects are that it: * Explains the fundamental theory using examples that show its direct application to buildings * Guides the reader through the links between measurement and theory * Explains concepts that are important for the application, interpretation and understanding of guidance documents, test reports, product data sheets, published papers, regulations and Standards * Makes direct reference to ISO and EN Standards on sound insulation * Contains a large number of illustrations showing measurements, predictions and example calculations for quick reference Carl Hopkins previously worked on building acoustics and environmental noise at the Building Research Establishment. During this time he was involved with sound insulation in research, consultancy, standardization, and building regulations as well as being an advisor on acoustics to government departments. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool within the Acoustics Research Unit of the School of Architecture.

The book explains sound insulation in buildings at a level suitable for both graduate students and expert consultants. Theoretical models are set out for sound transmission in buildings, with an emphasis on thick and heavy constructions. Thus, the description is not restrained by the common assumption of bending waves which is characteristic of thin plates, only. A general description is provided, with the modal density in the structures as a key parameter. At low frequencies statistical energy analysis is replaced by modal energy analysis. Sound transmission through windows and facades is represented by a model that allows any angle on incidence, including the special case of grazing incidence. One chapter is devoted to the subjective evaluation of sound insulation, particularly noise from neighbours, and how this can be applied in a sound classification scheme for dwellings. Measurement methods in building acoustics are presented with emphasis on modern methods using MLS signals or sine sweeps. The analysis and estimation of measurement uncertainty is discussed in detail. In a final chapter examples of experimental buildings with high sound insulation are explained.

Structure and Properties of High-Performance Fibers explores the relationship between the structure and properties of a wide range of high-performance fibers. Part I covers high-performance inorganic fibers, including glasses and ceramics, plus carbon fibers of various types. In Part II, high-performance synthetic polymer fibers are discussed, while Part III reviews those natural fibers that can be used to create advanced textiles. The high-performance properties of these fibers are related to their chemistry and morphology, as well as the ways in which they are synthesized and spun. High-performance fibers form the basis of textile materials with applications in protection, medicine, and composite reinforcement. Fibers are selected for these technical applications due to their advanced physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. - Offers up-to-date coverage of new and advanced materials for the fiber and textile industries - Reviews structure-property relationships of high-performance inorganic, carbon, synthetic polymer, and natural fibers - Includes contributions from an international team of authors edited by an expert in the field - Reviews those natural fibers that can be used to create advanced textiles

This book deals with acoustic wave interaction with different materials, such as porous materials, crystals, biological tissues, nanofibers, etc. Physical phenomena and mathematical models are described, numerical simulations and theoretical predictions are compared to experimental data, and the results are discussed by evoking new trends and perspectives. Several approaches and applications are developed, including non-linear elasticity, propagation, diffusion, soundscape, environmental acoustics, mechanotransduction, infrasound, acoustic beam, microwave sensors, and insulation. The book is composed of three sections: Control of Sound - Absorbing Materials for Damping of Sound, Sound Propagation in Complex/Porous materials and Nondestructive Testing (NDT), Non Linearity, Leakage.