Floor Impact Sound Characteristics of a Damping Floor Structure Using MSK2

Floor noise in multi-story, public housing such as apartments has long been a key cause of disputes and public grievances. In particular, among floor noises, heavy weight impact sounds are an area wherein no clear-cut solution has been identified. In similar research, the author has proposed a means of reducing floor noise through the new material MSK (Mikro Shnicht Kaltasphalt) (B.S. Lee et al., 2017). Mock-up testing has demonstrated that it is possible to reduce heavy weight impact sounds by approximately 3dB. Building on such previous research, the present study employees MSK2 material, having mechanical properties modified from those of MSK, and proposes a damping floor structure providing increased reduction of heavy weight impact sounds. Assessment of floor impact sounds using a mock-up employing the newly proposed damping floor structure shows that light weight impact sounds are reduced by 24dB compared to a bare slab structure according to a single-number evaluation metric, while heavy-weight impact sounds(impact ball) are reduced by approximately 3~5dB. This is thought to be attributable to the superior floor impact sound attenuation performance of the newly adopted material.