Evaluation of Impact Sound Insulation Properties of Light-Framed Floor with Radiant Floor Heating System

In order to find out impact insulation properties, various types of current radiant floor heating systems and light-framed floors that are used in light-framed residential buildings were evaluated for two types of impact sources at the same time. Sound Pressure Level (SPL) was different from each impact sources for those spectrum patterns and peaks. In case of light-framed floor framework, the excitation position and the assumed effective vibrating area have effects on sound pressure level but it is not considerable, and Normalized SPL was reduced for each frequency by increasing the bending rigidity of joist. The mortar layer in the radiant heating system had relatively high density and high impedance, therefore, it distributed much of the impact power when it was excited, and reduced the Normalized SPL considerably. Nevertheless, Increasing a thickness of mortar layer had little influence on SPL. Ceiling components reduced the sound pressure level about 5~25 dB for each frequency. Namely, it had excellent sound insulation properties in a range from 200 to 4,000 Hz frequency for both heavy and lightweight impact sources. Also, there was a somewhat regular sound insulation pattern for each center frequency. The resilient channel reduced the SPL about 2~11 dB, irrelevant to impact source. Consequently, current radiant floor heating systems which were established in light-framed residential buildings have quite good impact sound insulation properties for both impact sources.