Sound transmission loss of gypsum wallboard partitions. Report ♯2. Steel stud partitions having cavities filled with glass fiber batts

Abstract

Using the data bank of the acoustics laboratory of Domtar Research, statistical equations based on density are derived for predicting the sound transmission loss and sound transmission class of double leaf wall partitions. The partitions are constructed from gypsum wallboard, light gauge steel studs, and have glass fiber batts (R–7) in the cavity space. The results predicted, using these equations, are found to be in good agreement with results on similar assemblies tested at other laboratories. The equations are used to illustrate the effect of surface density, steel stud size, and method of board attachment on sound transmission loss. The effect of adding glass fiber batts (R–7) to the cavity space is shown to depend upon the surface density of the partitions. Assuming equal surface densities, no improvement in STC was noted for partitions having unbalanced construction. The results, predicted for simple partition construction, are compared to test data for partitions constructed using resilient channels and for multiple rows of steel studs.