Dipl.-Ing.

Kai Naumann
Xella Technologie- und Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Kloster Lehnin, Germany

Performance of sound insulation of AAC in massive buildings –

experience with EN 12354-1

ABSTRACT: Design and calculation of building sound performance is standardized in EN 12354. The calculation method of this relatively new standard
requires a lot of precise input data. Besides the mass per area of a massive component, values like the vibration reduction index and the loss factor are
required. As a consequence of the implementation of EN 12354, plenty of research was initiated about the acoustic properties of different construction
materials.

In collaboration with different research institutes and Universities numerous measurements on AAC structures were performed. The results have become
the basis for the integration of the EN 12354 into the German standard DIN 4109.

Based on the experience gained in applying the calculation method of EN 12354-1, this paper gives an overview about the acoustic performance of
single leaf AAC structures in comparison with other building materials. The sound reduction indices of pure materials as AAC, lightweight concrete or
calcium silicate bricks are compared.

In a second step, the calculated sound reduction indices are compared with measurement results of real buildings. It could be confirmed, that the deter-
mined sound reduction indices in planning of a building are in sufficient agreement with the measured and quantified sound insulation in the real building.

It is concluded that there is a good correlation between calculated performance on the basis of the material parameters, and the actual measured sound
performance for AAC structures. This proves a high level of certainty in achieving the required sound insulation in design and construction of AAC buildings.

KEY WORDS: sound insulation, loss factor, EN 12354-1

1. Introduction 2. Comparison of calculation methods of sound

reduction index – past and future
Today planning of airborne sound insulation of buildings in Ger-
many is performed in accordance with DIN 4109 [6]. Valid since 2.1. Calculation according to DIN 4109 (1989)
1989, this method is considered to be relatively accurate to calcu-
late all relevant components for building acoustics. The building acoustic design in Germany is carried out in ac-
cordance with Supplement 1 to DIN 4109 (1989) [7] so far. This
With the introduction of EN 12354 in 2000, a new approach in calculation method assumes global estimated sound transmission
building acoustics verification has been implemented. Long known mechanisms for separating and flanking elements. In a first step
physical effects of sound transmission which were not considered the weighted sound insulation index R’w [dB] of the separating
in the past have become relevant boundary conditions now. component should be evaluated depending on the mass per area
m’ [kg/m²]. It is assumed that the average of the mass per area of
In various studies on solid materials, numerous measurements
all massive flanking components is about m’L,average = 300 [kg/m²]. It
were carried out on existing wall structures. In addition, test re-
is allowed to add a bonus of 2 dB to the sound insulation index of
sults of previous studies were evaluated again with regard to the
AAC components. This bonus takes into account that the special
new requirements. In total, data of more than 150 AAC structures
pore structure of AAC decreases the sound transmission along
could be collected from which known and new acoustic parameters
the material.
could be derived forming an excellent basis of the future structural
design concept. In case the average of mass per area of all massive flanking
components m’L,average differs from 300 [kg/m²] the correction term
This paper presents some of these results. In particular, first
KL,1 [dB] has to be added to R’w. If m’L,average ≤ 300 [kg/m²] then KL,1
experience is provided in applying the new calculation method of
is negative and the final resultant sound reduction index decreases.
airborne sound insulation with AAC structures according to simpli-
fied model of EN 12354-1. The result of this calculation method is sufficiently precise in case
all flanking building elements are approximately of the same weight.
But slight building elements transmit realistically more sound en-
ergy than heavier ones. A design error occurs when a particularly
heavy flanking component eliminates apparently in calculation the

96 CWB-Special Issue/2011
negative influence of an accompanying light component by evalu-
R w  37,5  logm'  42 [ d B ] (1)
ation of the arithmetic mean of the mass per area of all flanking
building elements. Some European countries developed special mass law equations
that are also given in EN 12354-1, annex B. Each of these equa-
2.2. Calculation according to future method
tions is also valid for all kind of massive building materials but for
The calculation method of airborne sound insulation according to different ranges of mass per area. Fig. 1 shows the equations
next edition of DIN 4109 is based on procedure of EN 12354-1 mentioned in EN 12354-1, annex B.
(2000). A lot of precise input data are required now. Beside the
2.2.2. Influence of total loss factor
airborne sound insulation of the separating and all flanking mas-
sive building elements of two neighbouring rooms, the type and The rigidity of the connection in joints of adjacent building ele-
rigidity of the connections of two adjacent components become ments varies in massive buildings. This effect is accounted for
very important. This characteristic physical unit is called vibration by the loss factor tot. The higher the loss factor of a building ele-
reduction index Kij [dB]. ment, the higher is the sound transmittance to adjacent parts of
the structure. That means also that the higher the loss factor the
The calculation of the resulting sound insulation index is an en-
higher the sound insulation.
ergetic summation of the sound transmittance along all flanking
paths. That means that there is no global acquisition of sound The sound insulation of massive components fluctuates depending
transmittance. This allows a realistic reflection of the real sound on the loss factor. The same structural composition may achieve
conductance. a range of sound insulation indices depending on the installation
conditions in different buildings.
Finally, geometric boundary conditions of the building are included
in the calculation method. Test results determined in a sound laboratory
are not directly transferable to the situation
in buildings. It is required to adjust the sound
insulation index. In [1] the following equation
(2) has been evaluated as the total in-situ
loss factor.

 f 
10  log tot  12,4  3,3  log  (2)
 100 

This equation is the average of all structures

investigated in [2] and [3]. It is valid for all
single leaf assemblies and all building materi-
als except those structures with a mass per
area less than m’ = 100 [kg/m²]. The sound
insulation of lightweight structures – like thin
AAC walls – would be overestimated. Fig. 2
shows the dependency of in-situ total loss
factor with mass per area. The bold red line
represents the average of all regarded wall
Fig. 1. Mass law equations of EN 12354-1. structures. The bottom line shows the in-situ
total loss factor of walls with a mass per area
2.2.1. Sound insulation index depending on mass law between m’ = 50 [kg/m²] and 100 [kg/m²].

In general the sound insulation of single leaf homogenous massive The in-situ loss factor correction term is modified for lightweight
walls depends on the mass per area of the material. The mass structures with a mass per area m’ ≤ 150 [kg/m²]:
per area is the product of raw density of the material, and its thick-
 f  m'
ness. This mass law – the relation of mass per area and sound 10  log tot  12,4  3,3  log   10  log (3)
 100  150
insulation index – is illustrated in an equation or in a diagram e. g.
in annex B of EN 12354-1. The equation for calculating the sound reduction index of AAC
should be divided because of these two different in-situ loss factor
According to the simplified model of EN 12354-1, annex B, the
correction terms. The result is the continuous equation (3) that is
following equation (1) is a reliable relation for common monolithic
valid for the mass ranges less than 150 [kg/m²] and equal or more
homogenous components. This equation is valid for structures
than 150 [kg/m²].
with a mass per area of m’ ≥ 150 [kg/m²]:

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   kg 
m'  150    32,6  logm'  22,5d B 
  m² 
Rw  (4)
 m'  150  k g   2 6,1  logm'  8,4d B 
  m² 
 

AAC components achieve a higher sound insulation than other

building materials of the same weight. This fact is already consid-
ered in calculation procedure of sound reduction index according
to DIN 4109 (1989). This was confirmed by Fischer et al. (2002) [1].

Fig. 3 shows a comparison of airborne sound insulation index of

structures with the same mass per area made of lightweight con-
crete, concrete, calcium silicate or clay bricks. AAC achieves the
best performance. The equations for sound insulation of lightweight
concrete, concrete, calcium silicate and clay bricks are not con-
Fig. 2. Total loss factor depending on mass per area (compare [1]). firmed by German standard committee, yet. Therefore the curves
are shown to give an impression of the qualitative trend, only.

A comparison of mass law relation of

draft DIN 4109-3 (Fig. 3) and equations of
EN 12354-1, annex B (Fig. 1) demonstrates
that the performance of airborne sound
insulation of AAC is up to 9 dB better than
equation (1). In Fig. 4 all relations between
mass per area and airborne sound insula-
tion were combined.

3. Results

Comparisons of calculation of weighted

sound reduction index in massive building
structure according to DIN 4109 (1989)
and draft DIN 4109 (similar to EN 12354-1)
and test values of sound reduction index
according to ISO 140-4 [5] are shown in
the following.

Conditions of the calculations:

Fig. 3. Mass law equations according to draft DIN 4109. – In Germany the discussion about the
range of uncertainty is not completed. No
safety margin is included in our calculation.
– We assume in our calculations that
the results according to draft 4109 were
determined with an accuracy of one digit.

3.1. Example 1: Separating ceiling

The sound reduction index of the ceiling is

calculated between two sleeping rooms one
above the other. Fig. 5 shows a sketch of
the ground plan.

The thickness of the regarded separating

Fig. 4. Comparison of mass law curves draft DIN4109 with EN 12354-1, annex B. concrete ceiling is 20 cm. The exterior
Ytong wall is made of 42,5 cm P1,6/0,30.
The inner walls are made of 11,5 cm

98 CWB-Special Issue/2011
 Fig. 6. sketch of ground plan example 2.
Fig. 5. Sketch of ground plan example 1.
Table 2

Table 1 EXAMPLE 2: SEPARATING WALL.

EXAMPLE 1: SEPARATING. Component Description Material Thickness

Separating single leaf calcium silicate;
Component Description Material Thickness 24 cm
component wall density class 2,0
Separating ceiling with floating
concrete 20 cm Flanking
component screed
component - exterior wall AAC Ytong P1,6/0,30 42,5 cm
Flanking
AAC Ytong exterior
component - exterior wall 42,5 cm
P1,6/0,30 Flanking
exterior
component - interior wall AAC Ytong P4/0,55 11,5 cm
Flanking
interior
component - interior wall AAC Ytong P4/0,55 11,5 cm
with floating
interior Flanking ceilings concrete 20 cm
screed

P4/0,55. The adjacent levels one above the other have the same
shape. In Table 1 a summary of all involved components is shown. 3.3. Example 3: Internal wall

The calculated sound reduction index according to DIN 4109 The sound reduction index of the interior wall is calculated between
(1989) is R’w,R = 54 dB and according to draft DIN 4109 (EN 12354- a living room and a sleeping room side by side. Fig. 7 shows
1) R’w,R = 54,5 dB. The result of the measurement on site is a sketch of the ground plan.
R’w,B = 56 dB.
The regarded interior wall is of a thickness of 11,5 cm (AAC
Ytong P4/0,55). The outside AAC wall is made of 42,5 cm Ytong
3.2. Example 2: Separating wall
P1,6/0,30. The ceilings were made of 20 cm concrete with floating
The sound reduction index of the separating wall is calculated screed. The regarded rooms are adjacent. In Table 3 a summary
between two kitchens side by side. Fig. 6 shows a sketch of the of all involved components is shown.
ground plan.
The calculated sound reduction index according to DIN 4109
The thickness of the regarded separating wall is 24 cm calcium (1989) is R’w,R = 33 dB and according to draft DIN 4109 (EN 12354-
silicate. The exterior Ytong wall is made of 42,5 cm P1,6/0,30. The 1) R’w,R = 37,2 dB. The result of the measurement on site is
inner walls are made of 11,5 cm P4/0,55. The ceilings were made R’w,B = 39 dB.
of 20 cm concrete with floating screed. The regarded rooms are ad-
jacent. In Table 2 a summary of all involved components is shown. 3.4. Example 4: Separating wall

The calculated sound reduction index according to DIN 4109 The sound reduction index of the separating wall is calculated
(1989) is R’w,R = 52 dB and according to draft DIN 4109 (EN 12354- between a living room and a sleeping room side by side. Fig. 8
1) R’w,R = 54,0 dB. The result of the measurement on site is shows a sketch of the ground plan.
R’w,B = 57 dB.
The regarded separating wall is of a thickness of 24 cm calcium
silicate. The exterior wall is made of AAC 36,5 cm Ytong P4/0,50.
The interior walls are made of AAC 11,5 cm Ytong P4/0,55 and

CWB-Special Issue/2011 99
 Fig. 8. Sketch of ground plan.

Table 4

EXAMPLE 4: SEPARATING WALL.

Fig. 7. Sketch of ground plan example 3.
Component Description Material Thickness
Table 3
Separating single leaf calcium silicate;
24 cm
EXAMPLE 3: INTERNAL WALL. component wall density class 2,0
Flanking
Component Description Material Thickness component - exterior wall AAC Ytong P1,6/0,30 42,5 cm
Separating exterior
Single leaf wall AAC Ytong P4/0,55 11,5 cm
component Flanking
Flanking component interior wall AAC Ytong P4/0,55 11,5 cm
AAC Ytong
component - exterior wall 42,5 cm - interior
P1,6/0,30
exterior
with floating
Flanking Flanking ceilings concrete 20 cm
screed
component - interior wall AAC Ytong P4/0,55 11,5 cm
interior
Flanking with floating The most accurate parameter determined in [1] is given in equa-
concrete 20 cm
ceilings screed tion (4). This relation is validated in numerous measurements on
AAC structures and has hence gained sufficient certainty.
the ceilings of 20 cm concrete with floating screed. The regarded
The highest uncertainty is suspected in the vibration reduction
rooms are adjacent.
index in joints of adjacent components. There are various types of
The calculated sound reduction index according to DIN 4109 structures for this detail with a large range of loss factors caused
(1989) is R’w,R = 54 dB and according to draft DIN 4109 (EN 12354- by differing rigidity. The calculation of the separate vibration reduc-
1) R’w,R = 56,0 dB. The result of the measurement on site is tion index of each joint is not precise enough. To verify the result
R’w,B = 56 dB. of a calculation with measured data it is required to measure the
sound reduction index and also each vibration reduction index Kij
of all joints.
4. Conclusions
There are some other inaccuracies that may affect the difference
The certainty of the calculation method according to EN 12354-1 between measurement and calculation. Different numbers, sizes
respectively draft DIN 4109-3 and DIN 4109 (1989) is compared and positions of openings like doors and windows change the
with tested values of sound reduction index in this present report. rigidity of joints and the excitability of flanking components. But
Detailed results of recent research about acoustic properties like at present it is not possible to evaluate precisely the influence of
mass law and in-situ loss factor of AAC components are considered these geometrical circumstances.
in the applied calculation method. The sound reduction index of
four examples is calculated for structures in massive buildings.
References
The test value of airborne sound insulation index of massive
structures with flanking or separating AAC components is usually [1] Fischer, H.-M., Schneider, M., 2002. Umsetzung der europäischen
Normen des baulichen Schallschutzes für die Porenbetonindustrie
better than the calculated value. This is generally a positive fact at
(Implementation of European standards of sound insulation for AAC).
first sight. But the accuracy of this calculation method is certainly
Fachhochschule Stuttgart - Hochschule für Technik Fachbereich
not satisfactory. Taking into account that there are known very
Grundlagen und Bauphysik Stuttgart.
precise input data the expectation of the accuracy is higher now.
[2] Fischer, H.-M., Schneider, M., Blessing, S., 2001. Einheitliches Konzept
zur Berücksichtigung des Verlustfaktors bei Messung und Berechnung

100 CWB-Special Issue/2011

 der Schalldämmung massiver Wände (Standardized consideration of
loss factor in measuring and calculation of sound insulation of solid
walls). Fortschritte der Akustik, DAGA 2001, Hamburg.
[3] Späh, M., Fischer, H.-M., 2001. Abgesicherte Eingangsdaten für die
Berechnung des Schallschutzes nach DIN EN 12354-1. Veröffentlic-
hungen der Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart, Band 54 – Bauphysik-
ertreffen 2001 (Secure input data for calculation of sound insulation
according to DIN EN 12354-1).
[4] ISO 140-4: 1998 Acoustics – Measurement of sound insulation in
buildings and of elements – Part 4: Field measurements of airborne
sound insulation between rooms.
[5] EN 12354-1: 2000 Building acoustics - Estimation of acoustic perform-
ance in buildings from the performance of elements - Airborne sound
insulation between rooms.
[6] DIN 4109: 1989 Sound insulation in buildings; requirements and testing
[7] Supplement 1 DIN 4109: 1989 Sound insulation in buildings; construc-
tion examples and calculation methods.

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