Question 1

Who can use the programs with the databases, is it for acoustical experts only?

Accepted Answer

CadnaB, BASTIAN and SONArchitect may be applied to solve various tasks in the building design process. For non-experts, it is safe and simple to calculate sound insulation within a given model of the building, e.g. to change room size, type of flooring, suspended ceiling, wall lining, door, window etc.

However, it takes some acoustical experience to make an adequate room model with respect to structural couplings between building elements, taking into account the parameters that influence the power flow between the building elements and the loss factor. Input data of  building elements may be adapted to the actual case, e.g. function of light-weight floors that depend on the coupling to the supporting walls. Consulting an expert to refine the calculation model gives high return-on-investment since the constructions may be optimized to meet a given requirement.

Question 2

What about changes in the database, in case I would like to trace back?

Accepted Answer

Data taken from old versions of the database are stored in each project  file (*.BAP). Thus, each calculation is documented with the element data  valid at this occasion. Printing the worksheet or exporting to Excel  displays all data. In case you still would like to use previous versions  of the database, send us a mail. We save all versions distributed from  1999 AC.

Question 3

Are there standardized outdoor spectra available?

Accepted Answer

In the SOAB database, lots of traffic and outdoor noise spectra are  included, some harmonized with the new Nordic Calculation Model for the  Propagation of Noise (Nord2005). This helps choose the right  light-weight walls, outdoor air inlets, windows and renovation glazing  have been added (contin. fall 2003). Outdoor levels refer to free field +  3dB, i.e. 2m in front of the façade (unless otherwise is stated in the  description). Indoor levels refer to the diffuse field.

Question 4

How to import field measured data to the BASTIAN database?

Accepted Answer

1. If you are certain that your measured data reflect the performance  of one single element only, go to the Database menu and open the most  relevant category. In the table, right-click and choose NewConstruction.  Paste the data and add descriptions of the construction.

2. Be aware of the limitations of field data, i.e. they comprise  flanking transmission of connected structures as well as structural loss  factors that deviate from laboratory conditions (assumed in BASTIAN).  Read reports available under the Learning Center - Papers & Publications or contact us for assistance.

Question 5

Are calculations of sound insulation according to EN ISO 12354 consistent with field measurements?

Accepted Answer

Answer 1: Yes – on the average, provided the  calculation model fits he building constructions in situ. BASTIAN does  NOT return "safe" values comp to field measurements, i.e. there are NO  hidden margins. Users should apply their own margins, according to local  legislations and client's specifications.

Answer 2: Estimates of sound insulation in  buildings with concrete elements according to the EN ISO 12354 usually  agree well on the average when compared to field measurements. After a  new set of comparisons in May 2013, the input data of concrete walls  were increased by 1 dB 2013-06-01. Such changes are rare, this was after  more than 10 years of application of the database. For calculations of  timber frames or solid timber, see below.

Answer 3: There are some practical aspects you should consider to avoid unnecessary deviations - in both directions.

Field measurements can sometimes reveal worse  results than expected. This may for instance be caused by measurement  errors or poor workmanship. Examples of a few well-known shortcomings:  air leakage in unintended gaps and cracks reduce airborne sound  insulation; flanking transmission via a continuous outer layer of a  facade is easy to forget in the calculation model. Structural bridging  reduce insulation of a floating floor, even one single screw in the  wrong place transfer energy.
Field measurements can also show better results  than expected. This may be because you have not customized the  calculation model to the actual building. It's not enough to just enter  the apartment separating and flanking structures. You should also  specify the type of junction of the adjoining structures (e.g. to  include structural losses at the junctions of plaster-board back-walls).  Go to the Extra, Structural Rev Time and adjust the junction types of  all sides of all heavy elements. Typically, this adds 1-1,5 dB.
Errors in input data lead to errors in the  calculated sound insulation. Consult the suppliers of the products to be  used, in order to provide relevant input data. In case you find flaws  in the databases, contact us. An example: impact sound reduction from  the laboratory can sometimes be hard to achieve in buildings, especially  after some years aging of resilient materials under carpets or parquet  floors. Apply some margin at high frequencies if deteriorated elasticity  may be reasonable to occur.
Structural losses must be handled: Input data for concrete  elements must be converted since the structural losses in a laboratory  (for an element itself) are lower than in the current building, which  usually gives an increase of 1-3 dB if all junctions are specified. On  the contrary, flanking transmission of adjoining structures to the  reception room reduces the insulation. Input data for a single concrete  element does not tell much about the sound insulation of a building, it  is when you put together all concrete elements ("communicating vessels")  that you get an estimate of what the building structure performs. All  these aspects are handled by EN ISO 12354.
The Swedish building codes BBR and the standards SS 25267/SS  25268 contain rules that say you should fulfill the sound requirement on  average within a dwelling or premises, and that single measurements may  not deviate by more than 1 or 2 dB. Always make sure to fulfill req's with a calculated value.  Remember, it is the rejected measurements, or the risk of getting  rejected, which determines the minimal construction being appropriate.  As a result, the majority of measurements are likely to meet or even  exceed the requirement. This may appear as an over-estimation, but is in  many cases necessary.
Typically I find 2-3 dB higher sound insulation measured between  small rooms than large rooms. Some new test reports show that  consultants sometimes only measure between small rooms or only in a  favorable direction. The requirement of the standard is clear, test  rooms shall be selected to match the building as a whole. In safe  designs, sound requirements should be exceeded by 3 dB margin, to obtain  reasonable assurance (approximately 90%) to meet the requirements for  its field measurement. One or two measurements may still be below the  requirement.
If no margin is applied, many measurements will still fulfill  the requirements but you will get more negative deviations. Only when a  large number of measurements is analyzed, these statistical  relationships become clear.
Large or systematic discrepancies are probably due to the  quality of field measurement. Two common reasons for measurement errors  are background noise and insufficient spatial averaging (microphone  positions did not cover the entire space).
What about the EN ISO 12354:2017? Bastian is  not yet updated for the new version of the standard, but may still be  "tweeked" to handle wooden structures. The uncertainty of calculated  sound insulations of timber frame buildings, or building with massive  wood (CLT/KL) are currently not known. Timber frame floors are in a  separate category. Studded walls on concrete slabs is handled, use the  appropriate junction. You may use some temporary data for CLT but be  cautious. They are marked with the CA country label, to separate from  homogenous concrete. The approach is then to use CLT as with concrete,  but with additional layers that perform differently. Use the CA country  selector to filter out other data entries than for CLT. 2021-03-18: In  the Sept update, there will be 34 CLT constructions added, based on  extensive comparisons with lab data. Will be published at BNAM and in  Bygg&Teknik in May 2021. Contact me for further details.

Question 6

What can I do in case I miss a construction in the database?

Accepted Answer

1. Enter your own data into the database. See the manual, page 169.  Basically, go to the Database menue, choose relevant product category  and then use right hand click to open a submenue. Either choose  NewAsCopy, or NewConstruction. Make sure to use input data for the  construction as measured in a laboratory, i.e. without flanking  transmission.

2. Contact us. We frequently assess sound insulation of new products  for manufacturers and we can certainly help you as well (commissioned  work). You can try using Insul, copy and paste, but you should consider  the limitations of Insul prior to advising clients on critical  constructions using this method (ABK 09 requirement of workmanship). In  case you try and use field data, make sure to remove flanking energy  before inserting the insulation values, since BASTIAN adds flanking to  the model.

3. See below, there are more detailed Q:s on this topic.

Question 7

The joint #14 "light-weight wall or slab that connects to a massive partition" looks like it will give strong flanking transmission - is this correct?

Accepted Answer

The pictogram may be misinterpreted such that the L-W wall seems to be  continous across the junction, thus giving unacceptable flanking  transmission. This is (of course) not the case. The massive partition  blocks/interrupts the lining. In case the intention of the user is to  apply continous lining (e.g. a suspended ceiling in offices), apply  junction #15 and give Dn,f data for the flanking element. Refer to the  manual (on-line Help, or PDF-file on the BASTIAN CD)

Question 8

Can I use light-weight constructions as in EN ISO 12354:2017 ?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Just choose the appropriate junctions BEFORE you choose elements.  However, for timber joist floors on light weight walls, BASTIAN may  underestimate the impact sound caused by flanking transmission. See  manual and the FAQ advanced calculation section.

Question 9

What can I do in case I miss a construction in the database?

Accepted Answer

Enter your own data into the database. See the manual, page 169.  Basically, go to the Database menu (NOT within the  ConstructionChooser), choose relevant product category and then use right hand click to open a submenu. Either choose NewAsCopy, or  NewConstruction. Make sure to use input data for the construction as  measured in a laboratory, i.e. without flanking transmission. How to edit data in SONarchitect will be informed later on.
To find appropriate data for an element, get in touch with the manufacturer or contact us. We have special softwares and a large  experience in estimating sound insulation of building elements. In case you enter your own data, make sure to state this in the clients report, or whether you apply data from the SOAB database.

Question 10

Is it possible to enter sketches for user defined constructions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Define the image file name in the Database menu and save the file in the Bastian-folder.

For constructions in the optional SOAB database, the www addresses of  the manufacturers are given. Please look for further information at their pages or contact them.

Question 11

Are the construction data in the SOAB database the same in CadnaB, BASTIAN, and SONarchitect?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Products advertised in the CadnaB and BASTIAN-databases are also distributed  to users of SON-architect software, through a cooperation with their Scandinavian distributor Norsonic AS (www.norsonic.no). In case you find  differences, those are unintentional, please inform us!

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions of the database

Who can use the programs with the databases, is it for acoustical experts only?

What about changes in the database, in case I would like to trace back?

Are there standardized outdoor spectra available?

How to import field measured data to the BASTIAN database?

Are calculations of sound insulation according to EN ISO 12354 consistent with field measurements?

What can I do in case I miss a construction in the database?

The joint #14 "light-weight wall or slab that connects to a massive partition" looks like it will give strong flanking transmission - is this correct?

Can I use light-weight constructions as in EN ISO 12354:2017 ?

What can I do in case I miss a construction in the database?

Is it possible to enter sketches for user defined constructions?

Are the construction data in the SOAB database the same in CadnaB, BASTIAN, and SONarchitect?