Preliminary Timber-Concrete Assessment
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Static calculations software
Professional-Software for the dimensioning of TCC load bearing structures
Frequency range: airborne sound before and after refurbishment with the Elascon timber+concrete composite solution
Decoupling of structure-borne sound with Elascon Flüsterloop
The Elascon timber+concrete composite structure makes this essential mass functional in static terms. This is done done by inserting the shear connectors, SFix Type 1, SFix Type 2, SFix Type 3, which prevent any relative movement between the timber beam and the concrete. For living accommodation, the German Standard DIN 4109 specifies the following (mandatory) sound insulation levels:
Structure-borne sound < 53 dB
Airborne sound > 54 dB
The decibel figures shown represent logarithmic functions. In real terms, a reduction by 3 dB means that the sound insulation level of a timber ceiling is reduced by twice the amount - always based on the starting level of the sound pressure. Apart from the pure floor area, the transmission produced at the sides by walls and adjacent structural components needs to be considered as well when determining the sound insulation requirements. Any improvement in the sound insulation of a large, flat surface can be rendered null and void again by so-called secondary transmission, in older buildings usually by existing chimneys, old electrical cable ducts, old heating pipes, hard supports used at the ends of timber beams., etc.).
The Elascon timber+concrete composite structure used for refurbishment of an existing timbered ceiling decisively increases sound insulation. With some common structural measures (e.g. de-coupling of the upper face or a resilient drop ceiling), the existing building fabric standard can be made equal or even better than that in modern buildings. Assessment and interpretation of the measurement results for existing structures and the decision about the additional structural measures needed requires sound experience and must be based on long-term experience. We have been able to develop a forecasting model over a number of years which provides reliable starting information. However, if exact data are needed, then there is no way round independent sound level measurements of the actual structure involved.
We developed our Flüsterloop(R) product for additional de-coupling of structure-borne sound. Flüsterloop(R) uses the principle of "dynamic rigidity" used in sprung interior mattresses.