Reducing the heavyweight impact sound levels in reinforced concrete structures using viscoelastic damping materials

Abstract

Floating floors with resilient isolators inserted between the structural slab and the upper layer of the floor structure have been generally used because of their effectiveness in lightweight impact sound isolation. However, these isolators often amplify low-frequency sounds below 100Hz. Therefore, a new damping viscoelastic material has been developed to reduce heavyweight impact sound levels in box frame-type reinforced concrete structures. The viscoelastic materials can be embodied between the concrete slab and the upper layer of the floor structure as a constrained layer and the energy from floor impacts is absorbed with shear and or compressional damping characteristics.