The power injection method (PIM) is an experimental method used to identify the statistical energy analysis (SEA) parameters (called loss factors – LFs) of a vibroacoustic system. By definition, LFs are positive real numbers. However, it is not uncommon to obtain negative LFs during experiments, which is considered a measurement error. To date, a recently proposed method, called Monte Carlo filtering (MCF), of correcting negative coupling loss factors (CLFs) has been validated for systems that meet SEA assumptions. In this article, MCF was validated for point connections and in conditions where SEA assumptions are not met (systems with low modal overlap, non-conservative junctions, strong coupling). The effect of removing MCF bias on the results was also examined. During the experiments, it was observed that the bias is inversely proportional to the damping loss factor of the examined subsystems. The obtained results confirm that the PIM, combined with MCF, allows to determine non-negative SEA parameters in all considered cases.

This article presents a comprehensive acoustic study of paper-based building products: cellulose wool, paperboard, corrugated cardboard, and honeycomb panels. The material configurations included the intact form as well as the various modifications, i.e., density variation, multiple-layered staking, perforation or acoustic metamaterial setup. Tests covered acoustic absorption and insulation properties, with the last examined under excitation of both a plane wave and a diffused field. Additionally, the cellulose wool is provided with the characteristic impedance and propagation wavenumber results; and the paperboard was tested for its dynamic elastic and damping properties. The paper-based products, giving their weight, prove to be a convincing replacement for conventional materials by both absorptive and insulation performance. The maximum acquired sound reduction index, for exceptionally lightweight (2.2 kg/m2) paper double-wall metamaterial structure, reached 26 dB.