There is currently a boom in the cruise industry worldwide due to an increased demand for this type of vacation offering. The construction of these imposingly large vessels does not involve “super-sophisticated” technology compared to other ships. However, they are characterized by high comfort requirements related to noise and vibrations, especially those related to cabin privacy, which is assessed based on the measurement of acoustic isolation from airborne noise.
To ensure compliance with the high comfort requirements of these types of vessels, in addition to a good selection of main equipment, configuration of an appropriate general layout, optimization, and selection of suitable acoustic insulation, the selection and installation of appropriate outfitting are required to meet the defined specifications. For the first aspect, the assistance of a specialized engineering company in the vibroacoustic design of ships, such as TSI, is necessary. Equally important is the proper selection of a reputable outfitting company such as Navaliber.
In the process of ensuring the correct selection and installation of the outfitting for a newly constructed cruise ship, Navaliber commissioned TSI to measure the Acoustic Reduction Index on different partition panels that make up the demonstration mock-up built in the shipyard to verify the suitability of the solution and ensure compliance with the levels defined in the Specification.
For this purpose, TSI technicians visited the shipyard to conduct measurements of airborne noise isolation, characterizing acoustically the different solutions to be implemented. An omnidirectional noise source and a calibrated sound level meter were used, following the procedures defined in ISO 16283-1, ISO 15186-2, and ISO 717-1. Additionally, to evaluate the assembly of the panels and doors in the mock-up, TSI used acoustic intensity techniques to obtain an acoustic map of each partition and assess flank transmission.
The results obtained were satisfactory and by applicable requirements. However, due to the concerns and good practices of the outfitting company Navaliber, some improvement aspects were identified for implementation in the final outfitting assembly.
In conclusion, it is important to highlight the need for these measurements to ensure the suitability of acoustic solutions in this type of vessel, given the high economic impact of detecting deficiencies once the outfitting is installed. It should be noted that the values of the Weighted Sound Reduction Index obtained in airborne noise isolation measurements in standardized chambers in laboratories are only valid as a first approximation for the selection of partition panels. The values obtained in laboratories are under ideal mounting conditions that cannot be replicated on ships.
Therefore, TSI offers a wide range of techniques to acoustically characterize these solutions to the market, along with over 40 years of accumulated experience to evaluate and establish relevant design recommendations tailored to the nature of each problem.
