Prediction and validation of flanking sound transmission in cross-laminated timber junctions with resilient interlayers

Propelled by its small carbon footprint, low weight and high stiffness, cross-laminated timber (CLT) has experienced a significant commercial growth in the last decade. However, these latter two features potentially contribute to poor acoustic performance. A critical factor is flanking sound, in which vibrational energy is transmitted between two elements connected through a common junction, driving the need to include vibration isolation solutions such as resilient interlayers in the junction design. In this work, the vibration reduction index across CLT junctions is predicted with an analytical wave approach for semi-infinite thin plates. Each CLT panel is modelled as an orthotropic or isotropic equivalent single layer (ESL). Multiple options to determine the ESL properties are compared, including the law of mixtures and the modified gamma method. The interlayer is considered to be a thick, flexible waveguide, whose out-of-plane motion is governed by shear. The prediction model is validated experimentally with on-site measurements for a vertical T-junction with a polyurethane foam interlayer. The predictions are moderately accurate in the entire frequency range, with deviations below 10 dB across all 1/3 octave bands. Depending on the layer configuration, the orthotropy of the ESL can significantly influence the predictions.