When wood frame lightweight constructions are considered, both the standardized methods, EN 12354-1 and-2, for predicting building performances from the performances of building elements and the related standardized laboratory measurement methods for characterizing building elements and their junctions have to be reconsidered. In this paper, a prediction method based on Statistical Energy Analysis and adapted to lightweight constructions, is presented. It was applied to a two-storey four-room building where an analysis of the different transmission paths was required in order to understand and improve the acoustic performances of the building. Comparisons between results, expressed in terms of airborne and impact sound insulation between rooms, either directly measured or calculated using the prediction method, are given in the three cases of vertical, horizontal and diagonal transmission. A satisfactory agreement between calculated and measured results is obtained.

In this paper, the effect of thermal retrofit on acoustic performance of buildings is investigated. Indeed, the actual French acoustic regulation does not usually apply when a building is renovated; it is suggested that the acoustic performance should not be degraded. A building from the late 70s is investigated before and after the thermal retrofit. This building is heavyweight concrete based. The thermal retrofit includes the addition of a polystyrene based external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) applied on the building façade and the replacement of the original windows by double glazing windows. The effect of this thermal retrofit on the acoustic performance is measured and predicted with the ACOUBAT software. The measured and predicted results are compared and discussed in terms of the different transmission paths. © 2011 Institute of Noise Control Engineering.