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Description
Engineering offices and manufacturers of acoustic building systems or materials often rely on measurement data to estimate whether building solutions will provide sufficient acoustic quality. This typically involves numerous costly and time-consuming laboratory measurements, making it difficult to efficiently explore and optimize various design configurations. In this paper, a method is presented to accurately and efficiently predict the sound insulation of multilayer structures, including flexible metal stud frames. Accuracy ensures reliability, while efficiency is crucial for optimization, especially when numerous simulations are needed, for example, to identify the ideal layering or material properties of a layer. The prediction method accounts for arbitrary layering, finite dimensions, boundary conditions and resulting modal behavior, as well as flexible metal stud frames, including the cross-sectional shape, stud spacing and screw positions. Extensive validation has been conducted using numerous examples with a specific focus on plasterboard walls, demonstrating the model’s robustness and reliability; An accuracy of 2-3 dB in single number ratings is generally achieved, independent of the number of plasterboard layers and frame type, which includes single studs, double studs periodically coupled with a small screwed gypsum board plate, and double studs periodically coupled with felt strips.