The Influence of Insulating Layers on the Acoustic Performance of Lightweight Frame Floors Intended for Use in Residential Buildings

Łukasz Nowotny and Jacek Nurzyński
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Łukasz Nowotny: Thermal Physics, Acoustics and Environment Department, Instytut Techniki Budowlanej, Filtrowa 1, 00-611 Warsaw, Poland
Jacek Nurzyński: Thermal Physics, Acoustics and Environment Department, Instytut Techniki Budowlanej, Filtrowa 1, 00-611 Warsaw, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-15

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.

Keywords: lightweight floors; building acoustics; sound insulation; building materials; indoor climate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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