Optimization of sound absorption using a combination of different locally available materials.
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Date
2026
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Busitema University
Abstract
Noise pollution has emerged as a significant environmental and health concern in urban areas of Uganda, necessitating the development of effective and sustainable sound absorption solutions. This study investigated the optimization of sound absorption through the combination of different locally available materials. The research aimed at determining the physical properties (density and porosity) of selected materials, evaluate their individual sound absorption characteristics, and assess the absorption performance of combined material configurations. Three materials wood, polyester cloth, and sponge were selected for investigation based on their availability and acoustic potential. The density of each material was determined using dimensional measurements and mass weighing, while porosity was determined through the saturation method. Sound absorption was measured using an experimental setup comprising a signal generator, microphone, and cathode ray oscilloscope, following procedures adapted from ISO 10534-2 standards. Results revealed that sponge exhibited the highest porosity (85.3%) and lowest density (0.042 g/cm³), while wood showed the highest density (0.586 g/cm³) and lowest porosity (28.7%). Individual material testing demonstrated that sponge achieved the highest sound absorption, particularly at higher frequencies, while wood showed better absorption at lower frequencies. Combined material configurations demonstrated superior absorption across broader frequency ranges compared to individual materials. The wood-sponge combination showed the most promising results, achieving an absorption coefficient of 0.82 at 2000 Hz. These findings confirm that combining materials with complementary acoustic properties can optimize sound absorption performance. The study contributes valuable information on the acoustic properties of locally available materials and provides a foundation for developing sustainable, cost-effective sound absorption solutions for noise pollution control in Uganda.
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Undergraduate research report
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Citation
Okiror, J. (2026). Optimization of sound absorption using a combination of different locally available materials. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.