Gauge Repeatability and Reproducibility Study of Airborne and Impact Insulation of Floor-Ceiling Assemblies

A gauge repeatability and reproducibility study (GRR) uses analysis of variations (ANOVA) on an appropriately designed experiment to separate and quantify the components of the overall uncertainty [Whitfield and Gibbs, Measurement Uncertainty in Sound Insulation Testing, Proc. ICSV24, London (2017)]. Notably, the uncertainty in the measurement method can be separated from the variation of the specimens, giving insight into the consistency of the construction of the assembly. GRR studies of the airborne and impact insulation of floor-ceiling assemblies were performed on several apartment buildings. The performance of the test personnel and the workmanship of the buildings are compared. The results of the study show the ability to evaluate the variation due to workmanship and ordinary construction practices separately from the uncertainty in the measurement method, which is potentially instructive in creating test procedures and methods for evaluation, design, and quality control. By more thoroughly defining the uncertainty in the anticipated acoustical performance of an assembly, this method also provides guidance for the level of measurement required to determine in situ performance of acoustical systems.