The low frequency structure-borne sound problem in multi-storey timber buildings and potential of acoustic metamaterials: A review

Abstract

In recent years, advances in timber engineering, combined with an associated evolution in building codes, have led to a significant expansion of multi-storey timber construction worldwide – helping to unlock timber's potential as a sustainable alternative construction material. This expansion has intensified a long-recognised need for more effective methods to attenuate low frequency (20–120 Hz) structure-borne sound. Being lighter and less stiff than steel and concrete, timber structures tend to offer less inertial and elastic resistance to impact forces and existing sound insulation treatments provide inadequate attenuation in the 20–120 Hz range. This leads to high levels of low frequency..