Impact Sound Insulation of Lightweight Building Structures at Low Frequencies and Its Relation to Material Efficiency

The dissertation research topic focuses on the study of impact sound insulation of lightweight building structures in the low-frequency range. These are typically floor structures with a timber load-bearing system (beam floors and CLT panels).

The aim is to analyze the influence of material and structural design on impact sound insulation over an extended frequency range, including frequencies below the standard evaluation range (below 100 Hz), where impact sound insulation is usually low for this type of structures. This is mainly due to their low surface mass and the limited effectiveness of standard floating floors.

The work will include an analysis of suitable evaluation metrics that better reflect the subjective perception of impact noise. Subsequently, a systematic comparison of different structural assemblies will be carried out in terms of their acoustic performance and material efficiency.

The research will also involve experimental work based on laboratory measurements.