Concrete masonry is an ideal noise control material in two important ways. First, masonry walls act as barriers which block sound transmission over a wide range of frequencies. For above grade foundation walls, outdoor sounds are thus reflected away by the concrete masonry. Interior masonry walls also isolate sound between rooms. This property of concrete masonry to impede the passage of sound has made it a material of choice for highway sound walls, apartments, and hotel separation walls. For below grade spaces however, the more relevant sound characteristic of masonry may be its ability to absorb and dissipate noise generated within a room.

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