ASTM standards are used to calculate a single number performance rating for floor-ceiling assembly impact noise. A higher number represents better performance, and a lower number represents poor performance. This number is calculated by placing a standard tapping machine on the floor and measuring the radiated sound pressure level (SPL) in the receiving room below. In theory, the performance of an assembly can be represented by just this calculated number. In practice, however, the same assembly tested in the same configuration can lead to a range of single-number ratings, instead of just one number. The authors are working on developing a new measurement method with an improved standard deviation. A simulation model was used in previous works and the guidelines were developed. This research uses the previously proposed guidelines to test three structures and shows that the measurement standard deviation can be as low as approximately 1 dB as compared to the 4 - 10 dB variation observed with the current method. Additionally, the proposed method was able to rank-order the assemblies better than the existing method when compared to the subjective response in the receiving spaces.

This content is only available via PDF.