Vibration insulation and impact sound insulation made of rubber granulate (ELT)
Good sound insulation and permanent vibration insulation of buildings are among the key requirements for the comfort and well-being of residents. This is because noise and vibrations are not only bad for health, but also have a negative impact on privacy. Soundproofing and vibration insulation measures are therefore essential for buildings.
The exceptionally high compressive strength of sustainable impact sound insulation made of rubber granulate (ELT) ensures a high load-bearing capacity over many years. Floor coverings and insulating mats made from recycled rubber granulate are vibration-absorbing, water-resistant and rot-proof, which is particularly important for outdoor use, for example on roof terraces or industrial facilities. Impact sound insulation made from recycled tyres is also highly flexible and can be precisely adapted to specific requirements. In indoor living areas, the low installation height of ELT mats is an additional advantage - especially in building renovations.
A practical example of the successful use of sustainable impact sound insulation in outdoor areas is the roof terrace of the IKEA building at Vienna Central Station. This is located above the rooms of a hotel and is open to the public until the evening hours, which places special demands on compliance with maximum sound insulation (target value LnT,w < 28 dB in accordance with ÖNORM S 5012:2012). The installed impact sound insulation made of rubber granulate (ELT) not only meets the high sound insulation requirements, but also permanently protects the waterproofing from mechanical influences and has an integrated drainage function.
Vibration isolation made of rubber granulate (ELT) must fulfil demanding technical properties in order to meet the high static and dynamic requirements of a building support system over many decades. Vibration insulation made from recycled rubber granulate (ELT) behaves in a similar way to a shock absorber. Sound and vibration insulation is the ideal solution for heavy machine foundations, smaller staircases, large floor constructions or complete basic insulation.
A residential development was built near a railway line in Lenzburg (AG). The immission forecast by the building physics experts showed that the residential development would have to be partially elastically supported in order to comply with the statutory noise and vibration limits. On the basis of this analysis, a partial building support system was planned. Depending on the expected loads, parts of the building were elastically supported on various insulating mats made of recycled rubber granulate - with vibration-damping and impact sound insulation properties. Depending on the requirements, the sustainable insulation mats can be laid in one, two or three layers.
In the new Quellenpark neighbourhood in Bad Vilbel, valuable building land was created along critical railway infrastructure using an elastic layer of rubber granulate (ELT). The result is a closed block of 36 terraced houses with a minimum distance (14 metres) to the track, which also serves as noise protection for the neighbourhood behind. An engineering firm specialising in technical acoustics was responsible for the planning.
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Figure 1The properties of recycled rubber granulate products (ELT) are particularly effective in impact sound insulation. The very high compressive strength of the water-resistant, rot-proof ELT impact sound insulation ensures a high load-bearing capacity for many years. Image source: NEW LIFE©.
Figure 2Vibration insulation made of rubber granulate (ELT) was used to develop valuable building land along critical railway infrastructure in Bad Vilbel into the new Quellenpark neighbourhood. Find out more about this project here. Image source: Regupol©.
Figure 3A residential complex in Lenzburg (AG) had to be partially elastically supported in order to comply with the statutory noise and vibration limits. Insulation mats made of recycled rubber granulate with vibration-damping and impact sound insulation properties were used. More
about this project here. Image source: KRAIBURG Relastec©.
Figure 3On a publicly accessible roof terrace in Vienna, impact sound insulation made of rubber granulate (ELT) with an integrated drainage function ensures the best possible sound insulation and also permanently protects the waterproofing against mechanical influences. Find out more about this project here. Image source: Regupol©.