COMPARISON OF SOUND INSULATION PERFORMANCE ON TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF VOIDED SLAB SYSTEMS

There are several merits of a voided slab system such as economic efficiency, usability, and environmental friendliness. In particular, it has been proven that a voided slab system is beneficial in lowering the noise propagation and noise complaints between floors in apartment housings. One of the most commonly generated noise issues amongst residents in apartments in South Korea is the interlayer noise propagation complaints between upstairs and downstairs neighbours. As a result, it has been gradually more studies focused on solutions for reducing the interlayer noise problems in apartment housings. In this research, the sound insulation performances of two types of voided slab systems were tested. Floor impact sound would generate interlayer noises and it would generate uncomfortable living environment in apartment housings. The test results of VDS and the post tension applied voided slab system were completely satisfactory of the minimum requirements of heavyweight floor impact sound insulation. On the other hand, the lightweight floor impact insulation performance for VDS was attained grade 1, while the post tension applied voided slab system was over grade 4. Comparing with the test results of both voided slab systems, the existence of floor insulator would have an influence on the propagation of lightweight floor impact sound in the voided slab systems. Comparing between VDS and the post tension applied voided slab system, VDS showed superb performance over the post tension applied voided slab system. For the heavyweight floor impact sound insulation, both voided slab systems reached similar level of floor impact sound insulation performance. However, the lightweight floor impact sound insulation performance for the VDS was superior to the post tension method applied voided slab system. The reason for this result is considered that the installation of insulator might have a significant element for lightweight floor impact sound insulation.