ISO 10846-1:2008

Overview

ISO 10846-1:2008 - Acoustics and vibration defines the principles and guidelines for laboratory measurement of the vibro-acoustic transfer properties of resilient elements. It introduces and explains the theory behind the measurement methods in the ISO 10846 series (Parts 2–5) used to determine frequency-dependent dynamic transfer stiffness and related quantities. The standard is applicable to devices designed to reduce the transmission of audio-frequency structure-borne sound (20 Hz–20 kHz) and low-frequency vibrations (typically 1 Hz–80 Hz).

Key topics and requirements

• Dynamic transfer stiffness: Describes the frequency-dependent ratio of blocking force at the output to the input displacement; central to characterizing vibro-acoustic performance.
• Loss factor: Low-frequency measure of dissipative behavior (imaginary/real parts of stiffness).
• Dynamic stiffness matrix: Theoretical background for multi-degree-of-freedom resilient elements, including symmetry effects.
• Measurement principles: Overview of the direct method, indirect method, and driving point method used in Parts 2–5.
• Validity conditions: Measurements assume approximate linearity of vibrational behaviour (for given static preload) and point-contact interfaces with adjacent structures.
• Flanking transmission: Identification and mitigation of transmission paths other than the test element.
• Upper limiting frequency: Frequency above which measured stiffness results no longer meet the standard’s validity criteria.
• Uncertainty & documentation: Guidance references ISO/IEC Guide 98-3 (GUM) for estimating measurement uncertainty.

Applications and users

ISO 10846-1 is practical for:

• Manufacturers and suppliers providing product information on mounts, engine mounts, resilient supports, and couplings.
• Design and development teams performing vibro-acoustic design or selecting isolators.
• Test laboratories implementing consistent laboratory measurements of resilient elements.
• Quality control and R&D for verifying low-frequency isolation performance and structure-borne sound mitigation. Typical applications include automotive engine mounts, machinery mounts on ships, resilient building supports, and isolators in appliances and instruments.

Related standards

• ISO 10846-2: Direct method for dynamic stiffness (translatory motion)
• ISO 10846-3: Indirect method for dynamic stiffness
• ISO 10846-4: Dynamic stiffness of elements other than translatory supports
• ISO 10846-5: Driving point method for low-frequency transfer stiffness
• ISO 2041: Vibration vocabulary (terms and definitions)
• ISO/IEC Guide 98-3 (GUM): Guide to expression of measurement uncertainty

This part serves as the theoretical and selection guide for choosing the appropriate ISO 10846 measurement method when characterizing resilient elements for vibration isolation and vibro-acoustic control.