Bambusa Phon: Investigating The Soundproofing Coefficient of Bamboo and Other Materials at Different Decibels Over Time

Noise pollution is a pressing concern in urban and rural environments, necessitating innovative and sustainable soundproofing solutions. Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), renowned for its rapid growth and renewability, offers a promising eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials like foam and egg trays. Despite its structural applications, bamboo's soundproofing capabilities remain under-researched, particularly across various decibel levels and environmental conditions. This study addresses this gap by comprehensively evaluating bamboo's acoustic performance and durability. The research employed a quantitative, pre-experimental design to assess bamboo's sound absorption, compressive strength, and water absorption in comparison to foam padding and egg trays. Tests were conducted at multiple decibel levels (70 dB, 83 dB, 90 dB) using a sound level meter, and under different environmental conditions to evaluate material effectiveness. Additionally, water absorption was measured over time (1 minute, 60 minutes, 1440 minutes), and compressive strength was assessed using standardized loads (9.07 kg, 20.41 kg, 22.67 kg). Results showed that bamboo exhibited weaker soundproofing performance compared to foam and egg trays, with significant differences observed across all decibel levels (p < 0.001). Notably, egg trays outperformed both bamboo and foam at higher decibel levels. However, bamboo demonstrated superior durability, achieving the highest compressive strength (1333.45 N/m²), lowest water absorption (16.48% after 24 hours). Bamboo is a viable sustainable material for construction and insulation due to its environmental benefits and structural resilience. While less effective in high-decibel noise reduction, bamboo’s durability makes it suitable for applications requiring long-term performance. Future research should focus on optimizing bamboo treatments for improved acoustics and testing full-scale applications in diverse acoustic environments.