Estimation of the Reduction in Impact Sound Pressure Level of Floating Floors from the Dynamic Stiffness of Insulation Layers

The most relevant parameter for assessing the acoustical properties of insulation layers for floating floor applications is the dynamic stiffness. Besides the surface mass of the floor plate the dynamic stiffness influences the reduction in impact sound pressure level of a floating floor. According to the formerly German measurement standard DIN 52214 the dynamic stiffness of impact sound insulation materials had to be measured after applying a short-term pre-load of 50 kNm−2. This pre-load does not reflect the conditions in the field and has been withdrawn in EN 29052-I. By comparison of measured field data for floor constructions with estimated data based on measurements with and without pre-load it is shown, that the new measurement procedure in connection with a more detailed estimation of the building element properties leads to a more accurate prediction of impact sound insulation in dwellings.