Design and Acoustic Performance of Building Constructions for Multi-Storey Housing: Compendium

This chapter provides an overview of the range of construction types found across Europe to meet various sound insulation requirements for separating (party) walls and floors. The typical construction system, material properties and key influencing factors are described. The historic nature of sound insulation regulations in each country has led to developments in improvements to the types of constructions. More recently with the advent of stronger sustainability measures and resource efficiency of materials many countries have seen an increase in the use of light-weight structures, such as using timber frame. The chapter provides details on typical performances for a variety of acoustic descriptors and is a useful reference chapter for architects, acousticians, house-builders, researchers and government departments or local authorities dealing with building standards for sound insulation in housing. Detailed information on acoustic performance of typical building solutions found all around Europe, can be found in volume 2 of this e book, where the 29 European COST TU0901 countries (plus Australia and New Zealand) have included a specific chapter, which will be referred to as “Country Chapters” hereinafter