Treating noise in modern buildings using constrained-layer damping and current standardization

Constrained-layer damping (CLD) has been utilized to treat noise and vibration since the 1950s. The application of CLD in building materials such as gypsum wallboard, since the early 2000s, has been experimentally shown to have a significant effect on the sound transmission loss through building partitions over different one-third octave band frequency ranges, depending on the remaining building structure where it is applied. 20 years of experimental research indicate that while CLD, as applied in building construction, may drastically affect the sound transmission loss of partitions, many of these changes in sound isolation may fail to be observed when assessing performance using the sound transmission class (STC) according to standardized methodology. An overview of experimental data and observation of CLD as applied in modern buildings will be discussed as well as how the current standardized classification of sound isolation affects the understanding and application of this treatment in buildings. Possible solutions within the current standards body will be presented as well.