Analytical and computational approaches to floating floor design

This study investigates the design of floating floors on suspended slabs by comparing three approaches: analytical analysis, computational analysis, and in-situ measurement of system natural frequency. The analytical analysis is based on a two-degree-of-freedom model, in which the natural frequency of the suspended slab is considered in addition to the isolator natural frequency. When compared to an in-situ measurement, the analytical analysis proves to accurately predict system natural frequency. For complex room geometries or varying slab thickness, a designer may opt for a computational approach using finite element analysis. The analytical analysis and computational analysis are compared to determine the suitability of using a two-degree-of-freedom model versus finite element analysis. Applications include mechanical rooms, gym floors, amenity spaces, laboratories, medical facilities, and swimming pools where structure-borne noise and vibration are of concern to sensitive adjacencies. By confirming theoretical modelling with empirical data, this study provides simple tools to evaluate system natural frequency. These tools can be used to predict overall system performance, which proves to be more accurate than basing design on isolator natural frequency in these applications.