The prediction of the flanking transmission in constructions of hollow concrete block masonry walls connected to precast prestressed concrete hollow core floors

A common construction technique for multi-story buildings is to build walls of hollow concrete block masonry which are rigidly connected to floors of precast prestressed concrete hollow core slabs. The airborne flanking transmission for buildings of this construction must be determined to predict the apparent sound transmission class to meet the requirements of the National Building Code of Canada. Ideally, this would be done using the prediction method and the vibration reduction index values found in the standard, ISO 15712. However, prior studies conducted at the National Research Council Canada have shown that the hollow core slabs are neither homogeneous nor isotropic which are the requirements for predicting the values of the vibration reduction index (Kij) according to Annex E of the standard ISO 15712. To determine if the theoretical values of the vibration reduction index could nonetheless be applied in practice, an experimental investigation was performed on full scale junctions between concrete block masonry walls and precast concrete hollow core floors built and tested in full compliance with the standard ISO 10848. The investigation found that conservative vibration reduction index values could be predicted using Annex E of ISO 15712.