An Airborne and Impact Sound Insulation Analysis of 3D Woven Textiles on the Floor in Buildings

Noise has detrimental effects on mental and physical health and quality of life, especially for those living in apartment buildings. Therefore, sound insulation materials are pivotal for reducing unwanted noise as well as enhancing acoustic comfort. This study offers a hybrid approach for analyzing 3D woven textile sound insulation material effectiveness, especially in residential buildings, by simulating airborne sound insulation and testing manufactured slab samples with 3D woven textile mortars in a laboratory using a tapping machine. At the same time, the JCA model and the transfer matrix method are employed to calibrate sound absorption coefficients (SAC) and simulate its airborne sound insulation effect in buildings in Seoul, South Korea. Results indicate that the maximum mean sound pressure level (SPL) of the 3D woven textile was reduced up to 9 dB in the octave band frequencies. The thickness improvement of 3D woven textiles enhances the mid- and high-frequency sound absorption effect, most pronounced in 3D woven textiles made of double-layer (DSRM) material, which demonstrated an air sound insulation efficiency around 28.5% greater than that of traditional materials. The maximum drop in impact sound pressure level (SPL) at 2 kHz is 13 dB. The study also proposes a strategy to optimize sound insulation performance, which is used as an effective solution for noise control in buildings. These findings lay the groundwork for research on the application of 3D woven textiles for sound insulation in residential buildings and offer prospects for sustainable textile composites in architectural building applications.