A guideline of heavy-weight floor impact noise reduction for retrofitted apartment buildings in Korea

In this study, a guideline of heavy-weight floor impact noise reduction for retrofitted apartment buildings in Sough Korea was suggested based on the field measurements of the existing apartment buildings and development of floor resillient materials. The field measurements were carried out according to KS F 2810-1,2 in the 149 existing apartment buildings constructed before the effectuation of the floor impact noise reduction performance regulation. All measurement results were classified into three groups according to slab thickness: 120 mm or less, over 120 mm and 150 mm or less, and over 150 mm. As results, average of heavy-weight floor impact noise levels using bang machine was 50.0 dB, 54.5 dB and 58.8 dB, respectively, by groups. In case of rubber ball, it was 49.6 dB, 53.6 dB and 55.3 dB, respectively, by groups. In case of tapping machine, there was no sigficant tendancy according to slab thickness. In order to reduce heavy-weight impact noise, laboratory mock-up tests with diverse floor resillient materials were conducted using 150 mm thick slab, 50 mm thick mortar load plate, and 39.5 mm thick simple ceiling structure. As a result, effective thickness and composition of floor structure were derived in consideration of noise reduction, cost, thickness.