Ventilation systems normally contain large dissipative splitter silencers that are used to attenuate fan noise. Recently, numerical models have been developed that seek to predict the insertion loss of these silencers; however, there is very little experimental data available in the literature that is suitable for validating these insertion loss predictions and so questions marks still remain regarding the accuracy of the models. This issue is investigated here by comparing theory with experiment for a range of splitter silencers. Here, the insertion loss predictions are compared against experimental measurements obtained on a test rig that conforms to ISO 7235. Measurements are presented for silencers of differing geometry, although each silencer is restricted to one central splitter with two baffles lining the opposite walls of the duct. Furthermore, validation of the numerical models is based on measurements taken both with and without flow. Comparison between prediction and experiment is reported in one-third octave frequency bands up to a frequency of 8 kHz. Results indicate that the theoretical model is capable of providing accurate predictions for silencers of high percentage open area, but when the percentage open area is low significant discrepancies appear between prediction and experiment at higher frequencies
