A literature review of floor impact noise characteristics in wooden apartment buildings using cross-laminated timber slab

Abstract

In this study, the floor impact noise characteristics of wooden apartment buildings made of cross-laminated timber (CLT) slabs were analyzed through a literature review. Data on heavy-weight impact noise performance was gathered, including information on floor components such as floor topping materials and ceiling finishes. The collected data was primarily analyzed in terms of CLT slab thickness. The results showed that 150 mm-thick bare CLT slabs had a single number rating of 70 to 77 dB when tested with a rubber ball, but this decreased to 64 dB for a 210 mm-thick bare slab. The addition of lower ceiling finishes and floor-topping materials could reduce the heavy-weight impact noise level to around 50 dB. However, results using a bang machine indicated 5 dB higher levels than those obtained with the rubber ball. The floor impact noise characteristics of CLT structures were also compared to those of concrete structures. The paper concludes by discussing directions for improving the floor impact noise isolation performance of CLT buildings.