A review of the thermal and acoustic properties of materials for timber building construction (original) (raw)
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Sound Insulation Properties of Timber Frame: Simulation and Comparison of Results
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), 2021
In literature, there is an extensive treatment of material characterization in the acoustic field for timber frame and new sustainable materials for insulation. From this, it is possible to identify ranges for each parameter useful for simulation. Indeed, many authors rely on either data from previous works or data obtained from laboratory tests. However, the intervals of values for the parameters in the acoustic field is quite wide. The ranges identified by a literature study will be simulated for the same timber construction element under the same conditions. Then, by varying each parameter within the corresponding range, the results will be compared to understand how the variation of material characterization affects the simulation phase and the final results.
Acoustic of lightweight timber buildings: A review
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
This paper presents a literature overview of the acoustic studies dedicated to lightweight wooden constructions. The reviewed articles contain prediction models, laboratory and field measurements, finite element or computational investigations as well as subjective survey describing the vibroacoustic behaviour of a large range of wooden structures. The review analyses different type of timber constructions and investigates the acoustic research methodologies highlighting the following aspects: airborne sound insulation, impact noise reduction, flanking transmissions, human perceptions and pros and cons of the presented methods. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of impact noise of bare floors focuses on how impact sound reduction could not be as efficient as in heavyweight constructions; the comparison between the different approaches on prediction of airborne sound insulation of multilayer timber partitions compared to traditional heavy building materials is shown. Finally a subjective method survey is provided, underlining the weakest point of timber buildings: low frequency sound insulation.
Challenges for acoustic calculation models in "Silent Timber Build", Part 1- FEM
2014
The project "Silent Timber Build" will develop new prediction tools for timber structures. There are several challenges that have to be overcome to provide a full prediction tool. The differences in weight, stiffness and density for wooden structures compared to traditional, heavy and more homogeneous structural material have repercussions on how the sound propagates throughout the structures, affecting the sound and vibration insulation performance and also theories to be used in prediction models. Finite element simulations have proved to be useful in the design phase in a certain low and very low frequency range. By further developing reliable finite element tools for low frequencies, the performance of future wooden constructions can be predicted in a full frequency range, saving both time and money as all calculations, and modifications can be done during the design phase. However the upper limit for using FEM has to be further investigated and then be merged with sta...
Innovative Approach in Acoustic Simulation of Timber Walls
2020
The acoustic insulation performance of a glulam system (timber-framed wall) is of paramount importance in sustainable lightweight constructions. Nevertheless, traditional models like impedance coupling or double-leaf theory cannot offer robust results comparable to measurements. Even Finite Element (FE) simulations may not provide good results, due to high variables computations models and the resultant error propagation. For these reasons, in this paper the Transfer Matrix Modelling (TMM) method has been adopted tor the acoustic analysis of glulam timber structures in order to understand its advantages and limitations. The sound insulation of glulam walls will be simulated using a decoupled approach where beams will be considered as linear sound bridges.
Variations in sound insulation in multi-storey lightweight timber constructions
By using industrialized building, pre-installed modules can be delivered to the construction site where they are easily mounted. This method has many advantages compared to on-site manufacturing. In general, the variability of sound insulation is large in lightweight constructions. The reasons behind this variability are not known and therefore the construction is over-dimensioned to make sure the requirements are met. If the causes of this variability can be found and controlled, the production cost will be reduced and the sound quality improved. This is possible, since much of the construction takes place under controlled circumstances. Field measurements of 31 apartments in a four-storey building have been made. Both airborne and impact sound insulation were measured. The apartments on the highest floor achieved significantly better sound insulation. This is an indication that preload is a factor which contributes to high flanking transmission. The structural coupling between mod...
2016
During the last years, there has been an increasing interest of cross-laminated timber constructions among project owners, architects and producers. A more extensive use of wood in buildings is also of strategic interest in the wood industry. Design solutions to fulfil sound insulation requirements between apartments have been an issue on earlier work beside research work on flanking transmission with CLT elements. Recently we recognize an increased interest on CLT solutions used in other building categories, for instance student apartments and schools. Development and verification of floor constructions is of course important also for such applications. The paper will present a collection of results from SINTEF Building & Infrastructure combined with some preliminary research work running in the "Silent Timber Build" project within the WoodWisdom-Net program. The paper will focus on impact sound insulation properties of hybrid solutions with CLT and concrete. Results from...
Optimization of Mechanical and Acoustic Performance of Timber Floors
Advanced Materials Research, 2013
In the paper, the results of an experimental study aimed at evaluating the mutual influence among the intervention techniques normally employed to improve separately the acoustic or the in-plane mechanical performance of timber floors are provided. The superimposition of planks having different thickness and arrangement or connections is usually considered to improve the in-plane stiffness of floors, especially in case of interventions on existing buildings in seismic zone, to take into account, if possible, also preservation criteria. On the other hand, the improvement of acoustic comfort is addressed to the use of specific noise-abating materials, like insulating fibre-boards or sheathings, whose contribution, in terms of mechanical stiffness/strength is often neglected. This work proposes a combined interpretation of the two abovementioned requirements, through the characterization of the main parameters governing the physical and mechanical phenomena. The first results obtained on simple mono-directional full-scale specimens of floors are presented; seven combinations among various solutions of boards and noise-abating materials are compared, first from a mechanical and subsequently acoustic point of view. The results allowed identifying the solution, which was able to optimize at best both the mechanical and acoustic requirements, to be proposed for the intervention on existing timber floors.
Cross-Laminated Timber Floor: Analysis of the Acoustic Properties and Radiation Efficiency
Applied Sciences, 2022
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a building technology that is becoming increasingly popular due to its sustainable and eco-friendly nature, as well as its availability. Nevertheless, CLT presents some challenges, especially in terms of impact noise and airborne sound insulation. For this reason, many studies focus on the vibro-acoustic behavior of CLT building elements, to understand their performance, advantages and limitations. In this paper, a 200 mm CLT floor has been characterized in the laboratory, according to ISO standards, by three noise sources: dodecahedron, standard tapping machine and rubber ball. In order to understand the vibro-acoustic behavior of the CLT floor, measurements through the analysis of sound pressure levels and velocity levels, measured by dedicated sensors, were performed. Analysis was carried out in order to understand what is prescribed by the prediction methods available in the literature and by the simulation software. Then, a specific prediction la...
A new building acoustical concept for lightweight timber frame constructions
2014
In this paper, a new building concept for multi-family lightweight timber frame housing is proposed. This concept combines party walls, floors and facade elements ensuring comfort levels equal or better than currently encountered in typical Belgian heavy constructions. Low frequency behaviour and prefabrication potential were the key points in the design process of the new wall and floor types. Nevertheless, structural aspects, fire safety issues and thermal capacity have been taken into account as well. Solutions were found by maximally exploiting the mass-spring-mass mechanism. Finally, a holistic approach was followed to develop a building concept in which the walls, floors and facade elements are connected in an optimized way.