Main page content
Entity view (Content)
INSUL v10.0.7 – Now Featuring New Solutions
Entity view (Content)
For More Accurate Predictions in Timber & Concrete Constructions
INSUL, one of the industry’s most widely used software tools for predicting airborne and impact sound insulation performance, has released a new update: version 10.0.7.
This update includes some refinements of calculation algorithms and brings an important addition for specifiers: a new set of CDM Stravitec floating floor and ceiling configurations, now fully integrated into INSUL’s materials database as frames and floor covers.
CDM Stravitec has always been committed to testing its floor-to-ceiling solutions by experimenting with the many variables that influence a system’s performance - such as the isolator’s natural frequency, isolator type, air-cavity depth, surface mass of the solution, and more. In recent years, this research has been heavily focused on timber-construction solutions, supported by extensive testing campaigns. All the data generated has been provided to Marshall Day Acoustics, who have used it to continue the development their theoretical modelling for lightweight floor and ceiling construction. This has been - and will continue to be – one of their focus, enabling increasingly accurate prediction data not only for heavyweight construction but also for lightweight construction.
Why This Matters: Prediction Capability for Solutions Beyond the Lab
Laboratory testing remains the gold standard for performance verification, but testing every possible build-up is impractical due to cost, time, and the large number of potential project-specific variations.Laboratory testing remains the gold standard for performance verification; however, testing every possible build-up is impractical due to cost, time, and the sheer number of project-specific variations.
By integrating this test data into INSUL, specifiers can now predict the acoustic performance of configurations that have not been physically tested. INSUL will support consultants during feasibility studies and early-stage design, reducing the need for extensive laboratory testing and increasing confidence when modelling both heavyweight and lightweight floor systems.
CDM Stravitec Solutions Now Available in INSUL v10.0.7
In addition to the previously listed CDM Stravitec solution in INSUL, such as Stravifloor Jackup-R on elastomers or springs, the software now includes several more of our solutions listed as frame:
The last three are not enabled as floor constructions, but only as ceiling constructions, which is the configuration used for predicting airborne sound insulation. So how can impact noise insulation be predicted? These same systems are now listed in INSUL as floor cover for lightweight floor constructions. This approach was chosen to ensure the highest accuracy in the software’s prediction outputs.
A wide range of floor cover is now available in INSUL for lightweight construction, allowing predictions of numerous panelized floor systems with 30 mm (1-3/16’’) (Stravifloor Channel-M30) or 50 mm (2’’) (Stravifloor Channel-M50) elastomeric pad supports, combined with many board types - from various timber boards to cement boards, and more.
Continuous-support systems, such as Stravifloor Mat, have also been added to INSUL as floor cover for lightweight floors and can likewise be combined with different panel or gypsum topping configurations.
With these additions, INSUL can now be used to predict the acoustic performance of different floating-floor solutions in CLT construction, whether wet systems (concrete, screed, or gypsum toppings) or dry systems (panelized).
Unsure which solution is right for your project?
Read our article on the strengths of each approach wet (concrete, screed, or gypsum toppings) or dry (panelized) floor solution.