Abstract:
In this thesis I present a theoretical model for predicting the noise produced by rainfall on a flat inclined roof. A recently published method for predicting droplet impact forces is incorporated into the model and a novel model is proposed which accounts for the effect of surface inclination on the droplet force. The results of an experimental study investigating the droplet impact force on both a flat and and inclined surface are also presented and validate the proposed model. The droplet force model is compared with other force models available in the literature. The radiated sound power is predicted using the recently proposed model of Davy [1]. These predictions are compared with a series of experiments performed using a method based on that described in the ISO rainfall noise standard showing generally good agreement. Also an investigation into an observed relationship between rainfall impact noise and the airborne sound reduction index of roofs is described, and shows results comparable to those reported in a similar study described in ref. [2].