Acoustic performance of t-beam and hollow-block slabs: airborne and impactnoise insulation

Abstract Considering the widespread use of T-beam/hollow-block slabs in Brazil, this study examines the behaviour of that system under the effect of airborne and impact noises, in different compositions. Tests were carried out at a specific test facility, according to ISO 10140-5: 2010. The variations used in the systems were: subfloor, resilient layer, wood laminate and porcelain tile floorings, mortar plaster and suspended ceilings. The results showed that the acoustic performance of the T-beam/hollow-block slab is affected by the effect of resonance in the blocks’ cavities and that the addition of a subfloor can compensate the acoustic fragility when compared with the concrete slab, because of the consequent increase in the system’s mass. The results also show that, for the airborne sound insulation, there are no significant differences between the porcelain tiles and the wood laminate flooring, and that the installation of the suspended ceiling made up for the small sound transmission loss of the T-beam/hollow-block slab in relation to the concrete slab.