Vibro-Acoustic Numerical Simulation for Analyzing Floor Noise of a Multi-Unit Residential Structure

Abstract

In South Korea, the construction of new multi-unit residential structures has been continuously increasing in order to accommodate multiple households in single structures. However, the presence of walls and floors shared with neighbors makes these structures exceptionally vulnerable to floor noise transmission when the noise of everyday life occurs. In particular, South Korea has many social problems associated with such floor noise, which require the utmost attention and immediate resolution. In this study, a 17-story structure was selected as a test structure. Field measurements were carried out. A numerical model for the 17-story structure was developed in order to perform a vibro-acoustic analysis. The validation of the numerical model comparing with the field measurement data results shows a good agreement. Finally, it is concluded that numerical analysis can be applied to resolve floor noise problems arising in multi-unit residential structures.