Sound isolating nonstructural walls on high seismic zone?

[drile007]

I'm working on project with dozen storey’s building on high seismic zone. Architectural plan layout is full of reinforce concrete walls, but most of them are not structural (in the way of transferring horizontal-earthquake loads) since they are supported with slabs. They serve just as sound isolation, since concrete is heavy and good sound isolator. These walls are completely unnecessary from the view of earthquake resisting design. They »disturb« clear structural layout which is basic for good earthquake resisting layout. They are also heavy and therefore attract a lot of additional horizontal load. I'm wondering what is common practice in your countries to deal with this »nonstructural« walls. I know that I can change them with some light good sound isolation material, but the thickness of these walls become far greater than in the case of reinforce concrete. Is there some kind of special material, system, etc...

Any comments are appreciated
Thanx

 

[JAE]

drile007 -

We've used walls with air gaps between them (double walls) such as light gage metal studs separated by a few inches (mm) and ensure that no materials connect the two to transfer sound vibrations.

This is a legitimate way to achieve some sound control but isn't as good as the mass you get with concrete.

Another way is to use hollow concrete masonry blocks and fill them with sand but that leaves you with the same problem regarding seismic that you have with the concrete.

 

[drile007]

Thank you JAE. I was also thinking about plasterboards walls filled with glass wool. Those walls have very good sound characteristics. I'm concernedjust just with story drifts, since plaster is very brittle.

 

[JLNJ]

Have you considered Soundblox? They present a certain look and limit your finish options but our clients love to use them to control sound in a gymnasium.