Nonlinear acoustic metamaterial for attenuation of low-frequency structure-borne sound in multi-storey timber buildings

Abstract

Construction of multi-storey timber buildings up to eight storeys in height has seen significant growth in recent years due to advancements in timber engineering and associated revisions in construction codes around the world. Despite achieving high standards of acoustic insulation for mid to high frequencies, effective attenuation of frequencies in the 20 – 120 Hz range has remained a longstanding unresolved challenge for multi-storey timber buildings. Propagation of unwanted noise into neighbouring rooms occurs mainly in the form of structure-borne vibrations that ultimately radiate sound into the air. To solve this issue, a successful approach would need to rapidly attenuate broadband low..