As the rise of mass timber construction continues to dominate the industry, a recent study, co-authored by CALMFLOOR co-found, Alex Pavič, is proving a timely exploration into the sector.
The study is titled Global State of Knowledge on Human Induced Sound and Vibration Events: Defining Future Research Directions for Mass Timber Products and dives deep into the challenges and opportunities in mass timber floor systems, particularly when it comes to vibration and sound insulation.
Global State of Knowledge on Human Induced Sound and Vibration Events: An overview
Mass timber products (MTPs) are revolutionising the construction industry, offering eco-friendly, lightweight solutions for long-span floors. With their ability to reduce embodied carbon and provide faster build times, MTPs are gaining popularity in architectural design. However, despite their potential, concerns around comfort—especially floor vibration and sound insulation—are causing friction between the expectations of practitioners and the findings of academic research.
This blog takes a closer look at the performance of mass timber floor systems, specifically focusing on vibration and sound insulation, and the disconnect between real-world application and laboratory research.
The rise of mass timber construction
In recent years, the use of mass timber, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and nail-laminated timber (NLT), has surged in response to sustainability goals and the desire for more innovative, efficient building materials. These prefabricated systems are lauded for their reduced environmental impact and the aesthetic appeal they bring to modern construction projects.
But, despite the enthusiasm for mass timber, challenges in performance – particularly regarding vibrations and sound –are beginning to surface.
The performance gap: Lab vs. Reality
The academic community has long focused on laboratory testing of mass timber components, assessing properties like load-bearing strength, material behaviour, and acoustic insulation in idealised conditions. While these studies provide valuable insights, they often fail to account for the complexities of real-world applications, such as the interaction between materials, boundary conditions and human sensitivity to vibrations.
As a result, many practitioners, including structural engineers, architects and acoustic consultants, are finding laboratory results don’t always match up with real-world performance. For instance, while laboratory tests may show mass timber floors meet regulatory requirements for sound insulation and vibration control, in practice, they may fall short of comfort expectations.
Comfort in focus: vibration and sound insulation
At the core of these discrepancies is the issue of comfort. In mass timber floors, vibrations and sound transmission are interconnected and both can significantly impact the user experience. However, existing research tends to treat vibration and sound as separate phenomena, when in fact, they often overlap and influence each other.
Practitioners are particularly concerned with the behaviour of long-span mass timber floors, where dynamic performance and sound insulation are critical. These floors often perform well in controlled tests but can struggle in practice, especially when complex material systems or adaptive reuse projects come into play.
The need for a unified approach
To bridge the gap between laboratory research and practical application, it’s clear a more integrated approach is needed: one that considers both objective technical performance and subjective comfort. This approach should also address the dynamic interaction between vibration and sound, acknowledging the overlapping frequency ranges and human perception thresholds that influence how users experience mass timber floors.
Additionally, international standards and regulations need to evolve to better reflect the unique challenges of mass timber systems. These changes could help ensure that what works in the lab also delivers in real-world settings, improving both design and occupant satisfaction.
VSimulator experimental floor facility
Moving forward: bridging the research-practice divide
To address these challenges, we must rethink how we test, design, and implement mass timber floor systems. The research community needs to explore the dynamic interactions between materials, boundaries and human sensitivity to vibrations, while practitioners must collaborate with researchers to adapt findings into actionable design solutions.
Ultimately, aligning research with practice can help close the gap between engineered intent and lived experience. By doing so, we can ensure that mass timber’s promise of sustainability, efficiency, and comfort is realised – both in the lab and in everyday use.
How CALMFLOOR can mitigate against and control unwanted floor vibration
CALMFLOOR’s active mass damping (AMD) technology offers a unique solution to the vibration challenges that mass timber floors often face. CALMFLOOR provides an out-of-the-box, low-cost, low-carbon solution that doesn’t require structural modifications and reduces floor vibrations by up to 90% – instantly.
CALMFLOOR technology ensures mass timber systems perform in real-world conditions as effectively as they do in controlled tests, offering immediate improvements in occupant comfort.
Building owners, operators, engineers and architects can address both vibration and sound insulation simultaneously, ensuring that the dynamic interaction between these two factors is managed seamlessly. Whether you’re working on long-span floors or complex multi-material assemblies, CALMFLOOR helps bridge the gap between design intent and user experience, providing a practical, non-invasive way to meet both performance and comfort expectations.
By integrating CALMFLOOR into mass timber projects, engineers and architects can enhance the overall quality of their designs, ensuring they meet both technical specifications and the perceptual needs of occupants. CALMFLOOR’s technology makes it easier to deliver on the promise of sustainable, high-performance mass timber structures without sacrificing comfort.