Acoustic insulation properties of lime mortars with natural lightweight aggregate

Abstract

Porous pozzolan-active aggregate can be used to prepare lightweight lime mortars with high ability to salt accumulation from masonry, enhanced strengths and improved their acoustic and thermal insulation properties, or fire resistance. In this study, the effect of 3 types of natural lightweight aggregate on acoustic insulation properties of air lime mortars, NHL mortars, and cement-lime mortars has been investigated. Measurements of the signal attenuation in the frequency range of 16 Hz to 16 kHz showed the appreciable effect of binder and aggregate used in the mortars. Pumiceous aggregate caused the highest attenuation of the acoustic signal. The natural zeolite seems to be suitable aggregate to NHL and blended lime-cement plasters because it lightens the mortar and positively affects the acoustic attenuation.