LAUSR

Laboratory sound transmission loss (STL) test reports and research publications may be used to validate partition designs as valid and code-compliant sound isolation treatments in buildings. However, longitudinal and cross-laboratory analyses of the sound transmission loss of steel-framed building partitions have revealed such a wide variation in experimental results and calculated ratings that design validation is impossible. There are multiple possible explanations for this variation in results. Steel manufacturers list a variety of mil-thicknesses under the same “gauge” specification, for example. This research study investigates laboratory testing parameters and material components such as the repeated use of the same steel framing for varying panel configurations, screw length and spacing, and steel mil-thickness, regarding the effect that each of these aspects of sample assembly design and testing have on the sound transmission loss of steel-framed partitions.Laboratory sound transmission loss (STL) test reports and research publications may be used to validate partition designs as valid and code-compliant sound isolation treatments in buildings. However, longitudinal and cross-laboratory analyses of the sound transmission loss of steel-framed building partitions have revealed such a wide variation in experimental results and calculated ratings that design validation is impossible. There are multiple possible explanations for this variation in results. Steel manufacturers list a variety of mil-thicknesses under the same “gauge” specification, for example. This research study investigates laboratory testing parameters and material components such as the repeated use of the same steel framing for varying panel configurations, screw length and spacing, and steel mil-thickness, regarding the effect that each of these aspects of sample assembly design and testing have on the sound transmission loss of steel-framed partitions.