Fiber-Reinforced Gypsum Board for Timber Partition Acoustics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Timber stud partitions with gypsum board cladding exhibit inferior acoustic performance compared to metal stud partitions, and reducing the number of fixing screws is believed to compromise fire resistance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a gypsum matrix with high fibre content and a polymeric additive in the plasterboard cladding, allowing for increased screw spacing up to 1000mm, while maintaining fire resistance and reducing installation costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If the number of fixing screws is reduced to improve acoustic performance, then acoustic performance is improved, but fire resistance is expected to deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic performanceVSAvoidfire resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the gypsum board by incorporating至少1 wt% fibre and至少1 wt% polymeric additive relative to the gypsum content. This parameter modification allows the screw spacing to be increased to greater than 500mm while maintaining both acoustic performance ( Rw ≥ 40 dB) and fire resistance, resolving the contradiction between reduced screw fixation and fire safety requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite gypsum board material combining gypsum matrix with fibre reinforcement and polymeric additives. This composite structure provides enhanced mechanical properties and acoustic performance, allowing the board to maintain integrity with fewer fixation points while preserving fire resistance through the inherent properties of the composite material composition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If the number of fixing screws is reduced, then installation costs are reduced, but acoustic performance is expected to deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation costVSAvoidacoustic performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By modifying the gypsum board composition to include至少1 wt% fibre and至少1 wt% polymeric additive, the patent enables increased screw spacing to greater than 500mm. This parameter change reduces the number of fixation points required, directly lowering installation costs while simultaneously achieving improved acoustic performance (Rw ≥ 40 dB) through the enhanced structural and acoustic properties of the composite material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If screw spacing is increased beyond conventional distances, then material flexibility and installation ease are improved, but structural integrity and fire resistance are expected to deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the gypsum board parameters by incorporating至少1 wt% fibre and至少1 wt% polymeric additive relative to gypsum content. These compositional changes enable screw spacing to be increased to greater than 500mm (with central region spacing greater than 600mm) while maintaining structural integrity and achieving acoustic performance of Rw ≥ 40 dB, thus improving installation ease without sacrificing strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite gypsum board structure with fibre and polymeric additive reinforcement provides enhanced mechanical strength and flexibility. This composite material maintains board integrity across larger spacing intervals, allowing easier installation with fewer screws while preserving the structural strength needed to maintain fire resistance and acoustic performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3204565B1Improved acoustic performance of timber frame partitions
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 SAINT GOBAIN PLACO SAS
  • EP3204565B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3204565B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A partition for a building structure comprises a support frame and a plasterboard affixed to the support frame by means of a plurality of screws. The plasterboard comprises a gypsum matrix having fibres embedded therein in an amount of at least 1 wt% relative to the gypsum, as well as a polymeric additive that is present in an amount of at least 1 wt% relative to the gypsum. The support frame comprises a plurality of elongate timber members and the average spacing between nearest-neighbour screws is greater than 400mm.