Quantifying acoustic performance and embodied carbon of acoustic solutions for mass timber buildings: Comparing common approaches around the globe

Abstract

As mass timber continues to increase in popularity as a building method to shifting away from high embodied carbon concrete structures to utilize wood as a renewable and lower embodied material. As whole building life cycle assessments (LCA) become more essential in meeting environmental emissions targets and qualifying for sustainability linked financing, quantifying the embodied carbon of both the structure and all other elements is necessary. The acoustic challenges of mass timber have been well documented and studied in previous works with a range of solutions now commonly utilized. Like most elements of construction, regionality results in different techniques being more popular and practical in different parts of the world. This work will compare the airborne and structure borne sound transmission and associated embodied carbon of four common acoustic designs for mass timber construction: floating concrete toppings, isolated board and batten floor systems, isolated dry floor linings, and raised access floors.