Abstract
The acoustic performance of floors plays a primary role in the total quality rating of a residential building. The sound insulation of lightweight frame floors, which are increasingly being used in housing, depends on a number of factors and technical details. In effect, the sound transmission scheme is distinctly more complicated than in the case of homogeneous massive partitions. The aim of the study was to develop effective insulating layers of lightweight floors intended for use in residential buildings. The floor system should satisfy legal requirements in terms of airborne and impact sound insulation. The research was based on laboratory measurements taken in a standard test facility. Ten different models of wood and metal floors were considered. The acoustic performance of their basic structure was insufficient; however, the application of effective floating floors and suspended ceilings improved it greatly and succeeded in potential meeting requirements and satisfying most inhabitants’ expectations. The results demonstrate how different lightweight floor components influence the acoustic performance of the floor and how the insulating layers cooperate when applied together. The findings will be useful in working on a new floor design and optimizing its structure in terms of acoustics.
Highlights
Residential buildings of lightweight structure have become increasingly popular in recent years.Various wood frame solutions, as well as others based on cold-formed metal channels, joists and trusses are increasingly used in housing [1,2,3,4]
The sound transmission scheme for lightweight structures is distinctly more complicated than in the case of massive partitions [11,12,13], since, in terms of acoustics, even the smallest details may significantly influence the efficiency of the whole system [14,15,16,17]
The aim of the study was to develop effective insulating layers of lightweight floors intended for use in residential buildings
Summary
Residential buildings of lightweight structure have become increasingly popular in recent years.Various wood frame solutions, as well as others based on cold-formed metal channels, joists and trusses are increasingly used in housing [1,2,3,4]. There are several reasons for this, one being the need for ecological and energy-saving technologies, ensuring the reduction of CO2 emissions and the provision of good thermal insulation [5]. These considerations, do not always go hand in hand with sound insulation. The construction sector, alongside the production of building materials, is one of the biggest polluters of the natural environment In this context, lightweight structures are perceived as more friendly to the environment than traditional buildings, while they can provide a high level of indoor comfort [9]. The sound transmission scheme for lightweight structures is distinctly more complicated than in the case of massive partitions [11,12,13], since, in terms of acoustics, even the smallest details may significantly influence the efficiency of the whole system [14,15,16,17]
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