Contribution
Cost-effective construction and acoustic requirements: Is there a need to adjust the standards?
* Presenting author
Abstract:
Since 2023, the housing shortage and the economic downturn in the construction industry in Germany have intensified, sparking a lively debate about regulatory requirements in building practices. Central to this discussion is the so-called 'Gebäudetyp E'. This category offers planners and executors confidence in using simplified construction methods. The goal is to apply simple construction concepts with minimal building technology. Regrettably, certain sectors of the construction industry misconstrue these approaches, assuming they allow for the easy disregard of regulatory requirements. In doing so, it is overlooked that legal minimum standards usually serve to protect the health and safety of residents. Particularly, the requirements for sound insulation come under scrutiny as a means of cost-saving. However, it can be demonstrated that soundproofing, whether in solid or timber construction, does not constitute a cost-driving element within the realm of minimum requirements. By selecting the correct performance indicators, especially concerning impact sound insulation, it is possible to achieve acoustically adequate and economically viable conditions using simple, robust standard constructions. The aim is to present constructions and requirements that meet economic and acoustic demands in timber and solid construction, focusing primarily on protection against pedestrian-induced noise within 'Gebäudetyp E'.