Sound panel based on TPMS resonators for urban noise control

Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) have been explored as acoustic metamaterials due to their porous structures and lightweight yet superior mechanical strength. While TPMS structures have demonstrated sound absorption performance in various studies, their potential for sound insulation in building enclosure materials remains largely unexplored. This paper investigates a novel approach to employing TPMS for sound insulation by designing a Helmholtz resonator based on the TPMS Primitive geometry and developing it into a sound barrier, referred to as the TPMS panel. The panel is designed to incorporate various sizes of TPMS resonators to cover the dominant noise range of urban environments, with considerations for architectural applications. Numerical simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics on 3-D digital models are conducted to evaluate sound transmission loss (STL). The acoustic performance of prototypes fabricated through additive manufacturing will then be measured through an impedance tube to validate the consistency with simulation results. This research advances the application of metamaterials in architectural contexts, enhancing indoor acoustic comfort.