t e c h n i c a l
ACOUSTIC TESTING WITH CSIRO
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RUSSELL HARRIS
National Technical Manager Australian Window Association
In June 2016, the AWA Technical Committee visited the new CSIRO acoustic testing facility in Clayton, Victoria. Discussions were held around the redevelopment of a cost effective program for AWA members to conduct acoustic testing. The aim of the program was to consolidate member testing to share overhead costs.
In September 2016, the CSIRO commenced the latest round of acoustic testing of glazed windows and doors for AWA members. It was the first time that this program, which dates back more than ten years, has been conducted at the CSIRO’ s newest facilities.
The design of the new reverberation chambers, which were commissioned in the first half of 2016, provides for excellent accessibility for both personnel and heavy vehicles. The ability to make deliveries and work close to the test facilities results in the construction( when necessary), installation and changeover of test specimens being quick and simple.
For more information, contact Russell at technical @ awa. org. au
Throughout several periods up until December 2016, more than 30 individual window and door systems were installed and measured for their acoustic transmission performance. A customised infill panel(‘ filler wall’) was designed specifically for the program to facilitate high testing throughout. The outer layer aperture formed through the double timber stud wall frame was constructed from metal faced particleboard. Replaceable timber battens were recessed into the test aperture to provide fixing points for the test specimens. The metal facing provided a hardy surface for receiving specimens and was able to be readily cleaned of the caulking compounds used to seal perimeter gaps, which are detrimental to the measured acoustic performance.
These laboratory arrangements, developed by the CSIRO in conjunction with the AWA technical committee, approximately halved the time to install and test the systems, demonstrating the efficiency of the program, and the benefits were able to be passed on to the participating AWA members through reduced testing costs.
“ CSIRO acknowledges the leadership that the AWA has played in this program, which has delivered clear benefits to its members and the Australian window industry,” said David Truett of CSIRO Infrastructure Technologies.
01 The CSIRO Reverberation Chamber in Clayton, Victoria.
02 David Truett, CSIRO Infrastructure Technologies.
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26 Australian Window Association