Investigation of the Sound Insulation Properties of Schwarz-P, a Triply Periodic Minimal Surface

Recently, Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) have attracted significant attention for their applications in building materials and engineering due to their excellent structural rigidity and large surface area. TPMS exhibit a band gap for specific wavelengths of light and contribute to the structural coloration observed in insect wings. This study aims to develop effective sound insulation materials by leveraging the wave-like similarities between light and sound and applying the band gap properties of TPMS to sound wave control. Additionally, TPMS are expected to exhibit high air permeability due to their periodic structure with continuous voids. By utilizing this characteristic, it is possible to design a novel sound insulation material that combines both air permeability and soundproofing capabilities. In this research, we focus on Schwarz-P, a representative TPMS, and investigate its potential as a sound insulation material through numerical analysis. The results indicate that Schwarz-P exhibits a band gap at specific frequencies, primarily influenced by air column resonance. Furthermore, it was confirmed that uniaxial compression of Schwarz-P enhances its sound insulation performance.