A network approach for analysis of silencers with/without absorbent material

The object of this work is to establish a general approach that can analyze the performance of most of the silencers with/without sound absorbent material. Under the assumption of plane wave propagation, the transfer matrices between the two ends of straight pipe and two-duct perforated section are derived and taken as the basic elements. Based on the conditions of continuity of pressure and of mass velocity, the silencer is modeled as a network formed by the two basic elements. Then the sound attenuation characteristic of the silencers can be investigated. With this scheme the multiply connected acoustic filters can also be analyzed. Further, the porous sound absorbent material is also included in this scheme. The effect of sound absorption material on the performance of silencers is analyzed and discussed.