Climate change is forcing us to carry out profound transformations in buildings and its decarbonization has become one of the priority objectives. However, dry channels appear to be effective solutions to achieve this. Nevertheless, the rediscovery of these sectors is rarely accompanied by acoustic know-how, which is essential to the guarantee of an eco-responsible building. Worse, the lack of control over the acoustic performance of dry systems can compromise all this research into decarbonization and the durability of future buildings.
What are dry dies?
The dry channels represent all the construction elements resulting from the assembly of materials such as plasterboard, steel or wood assembled through systems of frameworks and structures with possibly interlayer thermo-acoustic insulation. Due to the climate crisis, these sectors are being rediscovered. They appear, in fact, as interesting alternatives to structural concrete-masonry construction systems. More respectful of the environment, dry dies are also lighter and quicker to implement.
The lack of control over the acoustic performance of dry systems calls into question the very notion of eco-building
Nevertheless, the enthusiasm around dry dies is rarely accompanied by an in-depth reflection on what their uses imply on the design-build process. However, the lack of experience of the speakers leads to errors of assessment in terms of acoustic performance. First of all, the acoustic performances of the walls equipped with stiffeners are poorly controlled. On the other hand, the laboratory test reports rarely take into account the site realities of the assembly details of these structures, which are nevertheless decisive in their acoustic performance. Thus, the dry assembly of the walls between them causes holes and therefore leaks in the potential future sound insulation. Finally, the mechanical effects under stress or related to the effects of expansion of dry dies are rarely integrated and planned. Consequently, airtightness (and therefore acoustics) are regularly put at risk.
Failure to take into account the acoustic performance of dry systems from the design stage not only leads to a risk of nuisance but can also call into question the initial objective of decarbonizing the building. When the materials are not mastered, companies regularly resort to oversized solutions, for example by superimposing layers of plates on site to ensure sound insulation as best they can. However, sometimes these precarious solutions are not enough and companies resort to ultimately to the concrete in order to control the insulation. Not only has the decarbonization objective not been met, but resources have been wasted and the cost has greatly increased.
Our know-how integrates the acoustic performance of dry dies from the design stage
The acoustic engineering firm Planète Acoustique has a long experience in mastering dry processes. First of all, our know-how in dry channels comes from 40 years of experience in the acoustic studies of cultural facilities. For 40 years, we have been working on these dry dies so that they not only meet the regulatory acoustic requirements but above all those of usage.
This equipment has led us to enrich our site tools and methodology in order to control the acoustic performance of materials, in particular thanks to the development of our virtual acoustic laboratory. The latter incorporates all the acoustic dimensions necessary for a reliable and observable prediction of its performance in the final installation state. In addition, our permanent research for high acoustic performance has led us to develop assemblies of dry dies in order to optimize their use according to needs.
In short, if climate change questions our practices and pushes the construction sector towards a redefinition of buildings so that they are more eco-responsible and sustainable, these changes in the use of materials must also be accompanied by a reflection depth in the design-build process. This is why, by designing the acoustic performance of dry dies from the design phase and by supporting their assembly with a quality assurance plan (PAQ), we are able to guarantee the expected results of dry dies. The challenges of climate change impose great rigor on us and oblige us not to rely solely on preconceived solutions. It is therefore essential to precisely define the construction processes according to the materials used.
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