Field report on application of the dimensioning procedure according to E DIN 4109‐2 / Erfahrungsbericht zur Anwendung des Bemessungsverfahrens nach E DIN 4109‐2

For several years, the sound insulation ratings for multi‐storey buildings have been in transition and are being brought into line with the European calculation method according to EN 12354:2000. The drafts of DIN 4109 have been available since November 2013. The forecasting procedure for the expected airborne sound insulation in solid buildings will change considerably by comparison to the regulations in Supplement 1 to DIN 4109:1989. In recent years, the building acoustics testing unit of Xella Technologie‐ und Forschungsgesellschaft mbH has carried out numerous quality tests to determine the acoustic insulation of apartment partitioning walls and apartment partitioning floors in apartment buildings. The exterior walls of the buildings reviewed consist exclusively of plastered, autoclaved aerated concrete block walls. The interior walls were made primarily of autoclaved aerated concrete or limestone blocks. In a few cases, dry constructed or reinforced concrete inner walls were present. A comparison is presented between the test results of these quality tests and the design values of the assessed sound reduction index R’w according to E DIN 4109‐2:2013. During these tests, a discussion took place on the uncertainty that must be incorporated in the calculation so as to achieve an adequately high level of planning assurance.     

Balancing of constructional sound insulation according to DIN 4109:2016‐07 for residential buildings of lightweight concrete

Music, talking, traffic noise: even supposedly slight noise nuisance can harm health in the long term. Permanent exposure to normal domestic noise, for example, can lead to a disruption of concentration – loud traffic noise can even lead to an increased risk of heart and circulation complaints. Constructional sound insulation is one of the most important protection aims in building. Improvement of the verification of sound insulation was the main aim of the revision of the DIN 4109:2016‐07 ”Sound insulation in buildings“. Particularly building with lightweight concrete offers several advantages in sound insulation, which have now also been covered in the standard.     

The new German soundproofing standard: Comparison between DIN 4109:1989 and E DIN 4109:2013 / Die neue Schallschutznorm: Vergleich DIN 4109:1989 und E DIN 4109:2013

In 2013, a new draft of a complete standard for DIN 4109 “Soundproofing in buildings” was issued in 4 parts – “Requirements”, “Method of calculation”, “Parts catalogue” and “Testing acoustics in buildings”. It includes several increases in the requirements for protection against airborne noise and impact sound by comparison to DIN 4109:1989. The increases are based on the grades from monitored buildings of standard construction periodically noted in recent years. Significant changes are also included in Part 2 “Input data for verifying the requirements by calculation”. A detailed computation of all transmission paths is carried out here, taking into account the special vibration reducing indices. For a brick wall, the specific indices for the weighted sound reduction index R’w,R are shown that arise for various formations of the joints. When compared with the calculated values according to DIN 4109:1989 there are differences of up to 10 dB.     

Verification of sound insulation in residential building – the new DIN 4109 / Nachweis des Schallschutzes im Wohnungsbau – die neue DIN 4109

The central sound insulation standard for building in Germany, DIN 4109, was issued in a revised version in July 2016. The calculation procedures described in the standard can now be used to verify constructional sound insulation for masonry buildings with insulated external walls. For other building materials and construction methods, the minimum requirements can be verified, or if required the enhanced requirements. Measurements in completed buildings confirm the results and show that provided the construction materials are suitable and the specialist design is correct, good sound protection is regularly achieved.     

Designing sound insulation in multi‐storey residential dwellings in accordance with E DIN 4109‐2 / Schallschutzplanung im Geschosswohnungsbau nach E DIN 4109‐2

The method for calculating airborne sound insulation between apartments as specified in DIN EN 12354‐1:2000 has been used for many years – and is increasingly being used – in architectural design. This article will give a short overview of the basic principles of this calculation method, highlighting some special aspects, and will then focus on its application in practice. In particular, the experience gained with the KS Schallschutzrechner software (calculator for the prediction of sound insulation between dwellings and terraced houses ), which has now been in use for twelve years, demonstrates that – in spite of the improved prognostic accuracy – the method is not more labour‐intensive than that of the previous procedure specified in DIN 4109 Supplement 1, provided suitable design aids are used.     

Example calculation of the sound insulation of a floor slab between residential units according to DIN 4109‐2:2016 / Beispielhafte Berechnung der Luftschalldämmung einer Wohnungstrenndecke im Mauerwerkbau nach DIN 4109‐2:2016

The DIN 4109 series of standards has been revised in recent years and harmonised with European design codes. After the drafts of DIN 4109 were issued in November 2013, the documents shall now be finally published in summer 2016. The calculation procedure according to DIN 4109‐2 is based on the simplified procedure from EN 12354:2000, in which the noise transmission routes are calculated individually, similarly to the calculation for framed buildings according to supplement 1 to DIN 4109. The procedure according to DIN 4109‐2 is based on formulae, which are filled with figures from the building element catalogue of parts 3‐2 to 3‐6. This article shows examples of calculation steps for the determination of the weighted airborne sound reduction R'_w,Raccording to DIN 4109‐2:2016 for a floor slab between residential units.     

Non‐loadbearing partitions of unfired clay masonry – Fire behaviour tests

Unfired clay masonry is the most frequently used construction type for residential buildings worldwide, but the long tradition of building with unfired clay masonry in Germany came to an end with the onset of industrialization. The research project EGsL ”Unfired clay masonry: design and construction principles for a widespread use in residential building taking into account climatic conditions in temperate zones with Germany as example location“ is devoted to the preparation of basic principles based on the current state of knowledge about unfired clay as a building material in order to filter out design and construction principles for residential buildings of modern unfired clay masonry. It is assumed that unfired clay has a much better performance capability than is currently expected from the material. The greatest suspicion about the structural safety of unfired clay buildings is based on the water susceptibility of unfired clay, since unfired clay loses its strength under the action of water. In order to improve confidence in the structural stability of residential buildings of unfired clay masonry, a display at the trade fair BAU 2017 showed the basis for an example application of important constructional joints of a theoretical building of unfired clay masonry. As a follow‐up to this, the EGsL research project now intends to demonstrate the fire protection behaviour of unfired clay internal walls in order to ensure the structural stability of unfired clay buildings. The article reports on a first fire test on non‐loadbearing clay masonry walls and describes an example application of non‐loadbearing clay walls in the new Zinzendorf Gymnasium in Herrnhut.     

Shear tests on external clay unit masonry walls / Monolithische Ziegelaußenwände unter Schubbeanspruchung

Monolithic external walls are commonly made of thermally insulated clay blocks that do not require any additional external thermal insulation such as an external thermally insulated composite system (ETICS). To reduce thermal bridge losses, the support length (a) of the slab on the wall is shorter than the wall thickness (t): a < t. The influence on the shear capacity of the respective masonry walls has not yet been tested and analysed. The paper presents the results of shear tests on monolithic external walls with a reduced support length under static‐cyclic and pseudo‐dynamic loading. The test results will be compared with the shear resistance calculated according to DIN EN 1996 with consideration of the German National Annex and the results according to the relevant Technical Approval.     

Sustainable building for the future: Contemporary clay masonry – Resource‐saving building

Clay as a building material has a long tradition in Europe, largely losing its importance with industrialisation. Since the 1980s, clay building activity has steadily increased. Standard guidelines (Lehmbau‐Regeln) introduced in the 1990s, however, appear to be rather too cautious when examined in the light of current research findings on the load bearing capabilities of clay walls. Based on the evidence of historic clay buildings, on structural engineering calculations and building physics – the authors' research supports the assumption that masonry with modern unfired clay bricks has a much higher performance potential than previously assumed, which applies particularly to its sustainability. The biggest apprehension relates to the water‐sensitivity of this building material with regard to structural soundness. This can be countered however with the appropriate construction principles.     

The simplified calculation method of DIN EN 1996‐3 in practice / Das vereinfachte Bemessungsverfahren von DIN EN 1996‐3 in der Praxis

The design and detailing of masonry buildings was usually undertaken in the past using the simplified procedure in Section 6 of DIN 1053‐1 (1996‐11). With the changeover to the new European code, a new procedure has been made available with the simplified calculation method of DIN EN 1996‐3, which promises similarly simple and safe handling for the user. The practical implementation of this new code has been underway for some time. The article investigates the standard design cases and explains the innovations and alterations compared to DIN 1053‐1.     

Shear tests on full scale storey‐height specimens constructed with thermally insulating clay unit masonry with thin‐layer mortar

The paper presents results of a series of 6 in‐plane shear tests on storey‐height clay unit masonry panels [1] with thin‐layer mortar, carried out in addition to previous test campaigns [2], [3], and [4]. The walls were constructed with unfilled thermally insulating clay units with a thermal conductivity of λ = 0.09 W/(m · K). The current design rules for clay unit masonry according to DIN EN 1996‐1‐1/NA [5] are conservative compared to the presented test results for thermally insulating clay unit masonry.     

Flexural tensile tests with vertically perforated clay unit masonry with thin layer mortar / Biegezugversuche an Planziegelmauerwerk

As part of the EU project, INSYSME – INnovative SYStems for earthquake resistant Masonry Enclosures in reinforced concrete buildings – to optimise infill masonry the German project partners carried out an initial part of the project on flexural strength testing of high‐tech clay block masonry in accordance with DIN EN 1052‐2. In this a wide range of modern products was considered which at present is regulated in Germany by means of general building authority approvals. The test results show that the specifications for flexural tensile strength of high‐tech clay block masonry in DIN EN 1996 are very conservative in most cases.     

噪声敏感建筑隔声与声舒适性要求

住宅声学性能将在心理、生理和社会上影响住户,声学舒适性是高要求敏感建筑设计和施工中的重要考虑因素。文章对比分析了中国和欧美等国家隔声指标和要求的差异,发现国内住宅空气声隔声指标比国外的指标要求低4～10 dB;楼板撞击声压级比国外的要求高3～25 dB,最大偏差达到-25 dB。考虑到城市化进程的不断推进,城镇居住密度和容积率的不断增大,以及多高层居住建筑的大量应用,以预期满意度50%～67%为目标,建议住宅声学设计标准在现有的标准和规范基础上提高5 dB左右,以期改善住宅的声学品质和住户的声学满意度,而后期开展相应的声学社会调查,改善居住声学环境是十分必要的。     

Einbruchhemmung mit Mauerwerk aus Leichtbeton

Burglary resistance with lightweight concrete masonry The product palette of lightweight concrete blocks ranges from heavy, high‐strength blocks for internal walls, cavity walls and externally insulated (ETICS) external walls to lightweight, highly insulating blocks with lower density and lower compressive strength for monolithic external walls. In the German National Annex to EN 1627, suitable wall constructions for the installation of burglary‐retarding building elements are given. Masonry walls made of heavy, high‐strength blocks fulfil all requirements up to the highest resistance class RC 6. The installation of burglary‐retarding building elements in modern, highly insulating blocks for monolithic masonry is therefore not covered by the standard yet. At the institute for window technology in Rosenheim (ift Rosenheim), testing has been undertaken of the burglary resistance of building elements installed in monolithic masonry made of highly insulating lightweight concrete blocks. For the usual 365 mm thick lightweight concrete masonry units of compressive strength class 2 and density class 0.40 with a lightweight plaster of Type I, the burglary resistance class RC 2 (recommended by the police in Germany) was verified in all the investigated variants of blocks. The results of the research project have been implemented in a proposed change of the German National annex to DIN EN 1627.     

Verification of the fire resistance of clay brick masonry – hints for efficient design

In Germany, structural fire design of masonry is carried out in a simplified way using tabulated minimum wall thicknesses depending on the loading level in fire. Against this background the procedure of structural fire design is shown briefly before two approaches for a more efficient verification of the fire resistance are explained. The first possibility is to determine the reduction factor for the design value of the actions in fire more precisely and thereby reduce the loading level. Secondly, a design methodology is presented which can be applied in case of masonry walls with low vertical load but a large load eccentricity at mid‐height of the wall. Finally, the verification of the fire resistance of masonry according to national technical approval is discussed with an explanation how to obtain the same loading level in fire if the design is based on DIN EN 1996‐3/NA as when it is based on DIN EN 1996‐1‐1/NA.     

Differentiation between the terms ”confined masonry“ and ”infill masonry“

This publication concerns the differentiation between the terms ”confined masonry“ and ”infill masonry“ using the example of the national technical approval Z‐17.1‐1145 – POROTON S9 MW –vertically perforated clay units with integrated thermal insulation using thin layer mortar [1].     

Design of masonry buildings of three‐layered units according to Eurocode 6 / Bemessung von Mauerwerksbauten aus Dreischichtsteinen nach Eurocode 6

In the recent past, the masonry industry has developed many different solutions for optimising the heat protection of buildings. This took place for the building materials, geometric design, but also by development of multiple layered stones in which the components masonry unit, insulation and outer shell have been integrated into a block.     

Extension of the conditions for application of the simplified calculation methods according to DIN EN 1996‐3/NA for the design of unreinforced masonry walls

Dedicated to University Prof. Dr.‐Ing. Carl‐Alexander Graubner for his 60th birthday The simplified calculation methods for unreinforced masonry structures given in DIN EN 1996‐3/NA are an easily applicable design standard for an efficient and fast verification of the resistance of mainly vertically loaded masonry walls. However, the design rules are not based on mechanical models. Instead, they are empirical approaches for a simplified estimation of the load bearing capacity. For this reason, the range of application of DIN EN 1996‐3/NA is limited by several conditions to ensure a sufficient safety of this design procedure. With regard to extending the conditions for application, extensive comparative calculations were carried out. Thereby, considering clearly defined boundary conditions, the load bearing capacity according to DIN EN 1996‐3/NA was compared to that according to DIN EN 1996‐1‐1/NA. It was the aim of this comparison to identify load bearing reserves of the simplified calculation methods to point out potential for an extension regarding the maximum permissible clear wall height and the slab span. As a result, it can be stated, that an increase of the maximum wall height up to 6.0 m and the maximum slab span of 7.0 m is possible in certain cases.     

Burglary resistance of thermal insulating clay unit masonry / Einbruchwiderstand von wärmedämmendem Ziegelmauerwerk

The number of burglaries in Germany has increased during the last 10 years. The weak points in external walls are windows and doors. One important aspect is the fixing of these elements in the external masonry walls. The German Clay Masonry Industry has carried out a number of tests verifying the resistance class RC2 of windows fixed in external thermal insulating clay masonry walls.