Structural and acoustical performance of recycled glass bead panels

An investigation is conducted to determine the structural and acoustical properties of panels comprising a core of recycled glass beads bound in a matrix of polyurethane resin enveloped by two fibreglass facing sheets. This investigation is conducted in order assess the suitability of recycled glass bead panels in multifunctional applications in the built environment, especially in urban, built-up or noisy environments where both structural resistance and acoustic insulation are beneficial. In order to assess the acoustical 14 performance of the panels, experiments to determine the transmission loss and absorption coefficients are performed using the transfer function method. It is shown that the panels provide effective insulation for typical urban built environments. Experiments are also described that are conducted to determine the modulus of elasticity of the fibreglass sheets, the compressive strength of the bead cores and the behaviour of the recycled glass bead panels when loaded in bending. A design method to predict the ultimate moment resistance of a panel in bending is proposed, which is shown to provide conservative and safe-sided predictions when compared to the experimental results. It is shown that, when employed in a flooring system, recycled glass bead panels can achieve usable spans under typical floor loads expected in commercial and residential structural applications, while also possessing the acoustic insulation performance required of a modern and comfortable dwelling or workspace. This combination of structural and acoustic performance has considerable potential to increase material efficiency in construction.