FEA of the Variations in Sound Insulation in Nominally Identical Prefabricated Lightweight Timber Panel Structures

The measurements of sound propagation in buildings usually show a variation between nominally identical constructed structures. These variations can be due to variations in structural properties, measurement uncertainties or workmanship related factors. Better knowledge about the sources for these variations can lead to lowered production costs. The present paper presents a numerical analysis of the variations in sound propagation of nominally identical prefabricated lightweight timber panel structures. By using the commercial FEA software ABAQUS, a parameter study is carried out regarding variation in sound transmission due to variation in material properties and geometric properties of the walls. The obtained results indicate that the sound transmission is sensitive to variations in material properties and less sensitive to variations in the geometric properties.The measurements of sound propagation in buildings usually show a variation between nominally identical constructed structures. These variations can be due to variations in structural properties, measurement uncertainties or workmanship related factors. Better knowledge about the source for these variations can lead to lowered production costs. The present paper presents a numerical analysis of the variations in sound propagation of norminally identical prefabricated lightweight timber panel structues. By using the commercial FEA software ABAQUS, a parameter study is carried out regarding variation in sound transmission due to variation in material properties and geometric properties of the walls. The obtanied results indicate that the sound transmission is sensitive to variations in a material properties and less sensitive to variations in the geometric properties