Water absorption:

Kielsteg elements are not cross-laminated, and the timber in them is all laid in one direction. This means that
Kielsteg elements are subject to a certain amount of dimensional change, which is strongest in the lateral
direction. Kielsteg elements are delivered with a wood moisture content of 12±3%. Depending on the service
class, in use the wood moisture content can vary between 7 and 20%.

Dimensional change of Kielsteg elements per 1% change of wood moisture content: Length: 0.01%
Width: 0.25%
Thickness: negligible

www.kielsteg.com
Formaldehyde:

The 6th executive regulation to the Austrian Chemicals Act (Österreichisches Chemikaliengesetz) lays down
limits for different materials. In order to comply with the Formaldehyde Directive of 12.2.1990 (Federal Law
Gazette for the Republic of Austria), the formaldehyde emissions must not exceed (single sheet value) 3.5 mg
formaldehyde per m²h (gas analysis value) after 4 weeks’ storage. Kielsteg elements do not emit problematic
amounts of formaldehyde.
The emissions from a sample analysed by Holzforschung Austria (Kielsteg element with plywood webs KSE
228) remained below the limits ate every time point. The sample therefore fulfilled the statutory requirement
of the formaldehyde emissions class E1 of 0.1 ppm.1

1
Test Report of Holzforschung Austria, 27.07.2012

www.kielsteg.com
Kielsteg roof constructions:

Kielsteg elements are used as lightweight prefabricated roof elements for detached residential houses, larger
residential buildings, commercial buildings and industrial buildings. The use of warm roof or inverted roof
systems is recommended for Kielsteg roofs. These roof systems have proven to be highly robust in terms of
building physics, because their underside remains uncovered and visible. The danger of doing inadvertent
damage to moisture-proof layers when suspending or fixing interior installations to the underside of the roof
is practically eliminated.

Kielsteg roof constructions should never be left without thermal insulation, because they have a heat
transfer coefficient of less than 1.0 W/m²K by themselves, and this can lead to secondary condensation under
the roofing material.

The diagram shows a standard warm roof configuration with a vapour barrier and thermal insulation covered by a waterproof roofing
material.

www.kielsteg.com
Cantilevered projecting roofs:

Cantilevered projecting roofs are often a problem for the thermal insulation of the building because it is
difficult to thermally decouple the outside part of the roof from the inside of the building.
The cellular structure of Kielsteg elements enables you to decouple the cold projecting roof from the warm
roof above the interior space of the building, although mechanically, the two are one single element. This
means you can build the cantilevered projecting roof without making compromises on design or thermal
performance.

Heat transfer coefficient, U-value [W/m²K]:

The insulation thicknesses you need to achieve different U-values are shown in the table on the next page.
The figures are for warm roof constructions with mineral or lightweight expanded polystyrene insulation. Due
to the large variety of available materials for the vapour barrier, insulation and outer roofing, it is not possible
to cover all of their properties here. It will be necessary to choose a combination that meets the requirements
of the individual project for waterproofing and humidity regulation.

www.kielsteg.com
Table of U-values (REI 30 elements):

The U-values in the table below are for either mineral insulation or lightweight expanded polystyrene
insulation, as indicated. The Kielsteg elements listed here belong to the fire resistance class REI 30 because
they contain a lower fraction of solid wood. This characteristic has a direct influence on the U-value.

U-value (W/m²K)
Mineral insulation KSE KSE KSE KSE KSE KSE
228 280 380 485 560 615

Kielsteg elements without insulation 0.76 0.75 0.73 0,59 0.56 0.55
100 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.24 0.24 0.24
120 0.23 0.23 0.23 0.21 0.21 0.21
140 0.21 0.21 0.21 0.19 0.19 0.19
Insulation thickness
160 0.19 0.19 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.18
0.040
180 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.16
tinsulation [mm]
200 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.15
220 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.14
240 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.13 0.13 0.13
Expanded polystyrene insulation KSE KSE KSE KSE KSE KSE
228 280 380 485 560 615

100 0.23 0.23 0.23 0.21 0.21 0.21

120 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.19 0.19 0.19
140 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.17
Insulation thickness
160 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.15
0.033
180 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.14
tinsulation [mm]
200 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.13 0.13 0.13
220 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.12 0.12 0.12
240 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.11 0.11 0.11

www.kielsteg.com
Table of U-values (REI 60 elements):

The U-values in the table below are for either mineral insulation or lightweight expanded polystyrene
insulation, as indicated. The Kielsteg elements listed here belong to the fire resistance class REI 60 because
they contain a higher fraction of solid wood. This characteristic has a direct influence on the U-value.

U-value (W/m²K)
Mineral insulation KSE KSE KSE KSE KSE KSE KSE
280 380 485 560 615 730 800

Kielsteg elements without insulation 0.62 0.62 0.55 0.48 0.43 0.39 0.32
100 0.24 0.24 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19
120 0.22 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17
140 0.20 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.15
Insulation thickness
160 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.15
0.040
180 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.14
tinsulation [mm]
200 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.13 0.13
220 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.13 0.13 0.12 0.12
240 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.11
Expanded polystyrene insulation KSE KSE KSE KSE KSE KSE KSE
280 380 485 560 615 730 800

100 0.22 0.22 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17

120 0.19 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15
140 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14
Insulation thickness
160 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.13 0.13
0.033
180 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.12
tinsulation [mm]
200 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.11
220 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.11 0.11 0.10
240 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.10 0.10

www.kielsteg.com
Material parameters:
The following material parameters can be used for a variety of calculations such as the energy pass and rough
estimation of the U-value.

Type Fire Weight/area Mass of Effective Specific heat Thermal Thermal Diffusion Diffusion
resistance of elements flange thermal capacity conductivity conductivity resistance of resistance of
class wood storage of webs of flanges flanges air
mass chambers

min Kg/m² Kg/m² Kg/m² J/KgK (W/mK) (W/mK) µ µ

KSE 228 REI 30 43.4 19 27 1600 0.14 0.12 50 1

KSE 280 REI 30 43.7 19 27

1600 0.14 0.12 50 1
REI 60 56.4 26 32

KSE 380 REI 30 45.3 19 27

1600 0.14 0.12 50 1
REI 60 58.0 26 32

KSE 485 REI 30 65.4 19 27

1600 0.13 0.12 50 1
REI 60 79.1 26 32

KSE 560 REI 30 76.5 26 30

1600 0.13 0.12 50 1
REI 60 88.2 30 32

KSE 615 REI 30 99.5 26 30

1600 0.13 0.12 50 1
REI 60 106.9 30 32

KSE 730 REI 60 137.3 36 32 1600 0.13 0.12 50 1

KSE 800 REI 60 139.6 36 36 1600 0.13 0.12 50 1

www.kielsteg.com
Acoustic insulation:

Impact noise:
Kielsteg structural floors covered with a typical underlayment fulfil the applicable standards for impact noise
insulation for residential and similar use. For example, an underlayment of approx. 6 cm loose fill, acoustic
insulation board (TP 35/30) and 6 cm screed will give a weighted standardized impact sound pressure level of
L’nT,w = 47 dB.

Airborne noise:

A weighted sound reduction index R’w of 50 dB can be reached with roof insulation thicknesses from 70 mm.

At the end of this section you can find information on several different roof configurations with the
corresponding acoustic insulation values.

www.kielsteg.com
Roof configurations:

The warm roof system shown in the diagram is designed to be robust in terms of building physics. Keeping the
inside of the Kielsteg element exposed to the interior space of the building, while providing two waterproof
layers on the outside, prevents a build-up of condensation inside. Thanks to their air-filled internal cavities,
Kielsteg elements themselves already have a heat transfer coefficient of less than 1.0 W/m²K.

Recommended roof layup: Waterproof roofing membrane

14 cm mineral insulation
Vapour barrier
Kielsteg element

Mass/area: 80.4 kg/m²

Apparent sound reduction index (Rw): 45.0 dB
U-value: 0.2 W/m²K

The noise emissions of commercial and industrial buildings that are located near residential areas are judged
very critically.

The following suggested warm roof layups are intended as a rough guide to the possible solutions and to help
designers work out suitable solutions.

www.kielsteg.com
Data on apparent sound reduction index and U-value for different roof layups:
Airborne noise, roof variant 01:

Rw = 38.7 dB
U-Wert = 0.23 W/m²K
Mass/area: 49.9 kg/m²

R
1/3-
Frequency
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 24.4
63 23.3
80 22.7
100 28.8
125 21.6
160 20.0
200 23.5
250 24.0
315 28.5
400 33.5
500 37.3
630 44.1
800 48.3
1000 50.4
1250 53.9
1600 58.3
2000 61.6
2500 61.8
3150 60.5
4000 58.0
5000 55.0

Source: Test report, TU Graz

www.kielsteg.com
Airborne noise, roof variant 02:

Rw = 45.7 dB
U-Wert = 0.26 W/m²K
Mass/area: 48.7 kg/m²

R
1/3-
Frequency
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 24.7
63 24.5
80 26.1
100 27.9
125 21.5
160 23.7
200 27.3
250 33.7
315 40.3
400 45.4
500 49.2
630 54.5
800 58.0
1000 59.7
1250 61.7
1600 62.6
2000 63.2
2500 63.1
3150 61.2
4000 58.5
5000 55.5

Source: test report, TU Graz

www.kielsteg.com
Airborne noise, roof variant 03:

Rw = 37.5 dB
U-Wert = 0.17 W/m²K
Mass/area: 51.9 kg/m²

R
1/3-
Frequency
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 27.5
63 29.6
80 22.8
100 25.0
125 23.3
160 19.5
200 21.7
250 25.0
315 28.3
400 30.4
500 32.9
630 38.9
800 42.9
1000 45.1
1250 53.8
1600 60.2
2000 60.3
2500 59.0
3150 57.2
4000 56.4
5000 54.0

Source: Test report, TU Graz

www.kielsteg.com
Airborne noise, roof variant 04:

Rw = 42.0 dB
U-Wert = 0.17 W/m²K
Mass/area: 156.9 kg/m²

R
1/3-
Frequency
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 32.7
63 41.8
80 41.8
100 38.3
125 34.3
160 32.1
200 30.8
250 34.7
315 37.6
400 37.6
500 36.0
630 37.9
800 38.7
1000 40.2
1250 48.0
1600 53.6
2000 53.3
2500 52.8
3150 53.3
4000 53.3
5000 50.8

Source: test report, TU Graz

www.kielsteg.com
Airborne noise, roof variant 05:

Rw = 46.7 dB
U-Wert = 0.16 W/m²K
Mass/area: 185.2 kg/m²

R
1/3-
Frequency
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 30.1
63 41.1
80 41.8
100 41.6
125 35.2
160 34.3
200 34.0
250 36.6
315 41.0
400 44.1
500 48.2
630 52.1
800 54.0
1000 58.9
1250 63.0
1600 64.8
2000 65.6
2500 64.5
3150 62.1
4000 58.4
5000 53.5

Source: test report, TU Graz

www.kielsteg.com
Airborne noise, roof variant 06:

Rw = 50.0 dB
U-Wert = 0.21 W/m²K
Mass/area: 51.5 kg/m²

R
Frequency 1/3-
[Hz] octave
[dB]
50 23.2
63 22.7
80 23.7
100 31.7
125 28.2
160 29.9
200 32.8
250 39.5
315 46.6
400 50.6
500 63.4
630 56.2
800 58.3
1000 59.6
1250 61.8
1600 62.6
2000 63.3
2500 63.0
3150 61.1
4000 58.2
5000 55,2

Source: test report, TU Graz

www.kielsteg.com
Structural floor constructions:

The Kielsteg types KSE 228, KSE 280 and KSE 380 can be used for structural floors. The underside has a
characteristic striped appearance and can be used as the visible ceiling surface. The cavities in the Kielsteg
element can be used for installing piping and wiring. The ideal clear span range is 5–10 m. Kielsteg elements
are light construction elements with high stiffness. For acoustic reasons they are best used in combination
with a high-mass interior floor layup.

Recommended floor layup: 6.0 cm screed

Membrane
Acoustic insulation board TP35/30
5.0 cm loose fill (grain size 3/5)
Membrane (as grit barrier)
Kielsteg element

Weight of total floor construction: 270.0 kg/m²

Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level (LnTw ): 47.2 dB

www.kielsteg.com
Impact noise measurement, Kielsteg element type 228:

Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level:

LnTw = 84.1 dB

Weight/area: 43.4 kg/m²

Ln
1/3-
Frequency
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 71.2
63 86.8
80 81.4
100 78.8
125 79.9
160 81.9
200 82.6
250 84.3
315 87.1
400 86.5
500 86.3
630 85.4
800 85.9
1000 87.2
1250 85.4
1600 79.9
2000 73.1
2500 70.5
3150 66.7
4000 59.5
5000 52.4

Source: test report, TU Graz

www.kielsteg.com
Airborne noise measurement, Kielsteg element type 228:

Apparent sound reduction index:

Rw= 36.0 dB

R
1/3-
Frequency
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 23.6
63 21.6
80 24.2
100 26.9
125 20.9
160 18.4
200 23.6
250 24.6
315 29.1
400 31.2
500 32.4
630 36.5
800 37.8
1000 38.3
1250 39.1
1600 43.4
2000 46.3
2500 44.3
3150 45.2
4000 47.4
5000 48.2

Source: test report, TU Graz

www.kielsteg.com
Impact noise measurement, structural floor variant 01:

Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level:

LnTw = 47.2 dB

Weight/area: 270.0 kg/m²

Ln
1/3-
Frequency
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 54.3
63 64.0
80 62.5
100 57.4
125 56.3
160 50.4
200 48.0
250 50.4
315 49.6
400 49.3
500 51.0
630 47.3
800 47.0
1000 47.9
1250 42.9
1600 31.7
2000 24.3
2500 20.5
3150 13.5
4000 6.4
5000 5.5

Source: test report, TU Graz

www.kielsteg.com
Airborne noise measurement, structural floor variant 01:

Apparent sound reduction index:

Rw = 58.7 dB

R
1/3-
Frequency
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 24.5
63 26.5
80 34.3
100 43.6
125 41.8
160 46.8
200 49.3
250 49.4
315 50.0
400 52.0
500 53.0
630 57.7
800 58.8
1000 59.7
1250 61.0
1600 62.7
2000 63.3
2500 61.8
3150 59.5
4000 56.6
5000 53.4

Source: test report, TU Graz

www.kielsteg.com
Impact noise measurement, structural floor variant 02:

Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level:

LnTw = 43.2 dB

Weight/area: 280.0 kg/m²

Ln
1/3-
Frequency
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 60.3
63 69.6
80 69.5
100 59.9
125 56.6
160 51.3
200 42.1
250 43.1
315 35.9
400 35.0
500 33.8
630 28.8
800 28.1
1000 28.9
1250 24.4
1600 15.9
2000 11.7
2500 7.8
3150 5.5
4000 4.9
5000 5.6

Source: test report, TU Graz

www.kielsteg.com
Airborne noise measurement, structural floor variant 02:

Apparent sound reduction index:

Rw = 59.5 dB

R
1/3-
Frequency
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 20.6
63 24.8
80 31.0
100 43.3
125 43.0
160 48.5
200 49.3
250 51.0
315 51.8
400 53.7
500 55.7
630 59.1
800 59.4
1000 59.3
1250 61.0
1600 62.8
2000 63.1
2500 61.5
3150 58.7
4000 56.4
5000 53.1

Source: test report, TU Graz

www.kielsteg.com
Sound conduction in structural floor and roof constructions, lateral direction 01:
OSB 18mm
KSE 380

Joint board

Joint fire tape

16/16 16/16
Trelleborg seal LVD 35

6.0

HF-Kombi 30/6 Fire-retardant plasterboard Knauf 1.5 cm (2 layers)

CW stud section 75 Isover Rollino 8.0cm
Space between CW-Profilen sections
CW stud section 75 Isover Rollino 8.0cm Standardized level difference:
Fire-retardant plasterboard Knauf 1.5 cm (2 layers)
1.2 7.5 25.0 7.5 1.2 DnT = 60.0 dB
1.2 1.2

DnT
Frequency
1/3-
f
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 29.9
63 38.0
80 43.4
100 42.3
125 42.1
160 40.6
200 47.3
250 50.5
315 52.5
400 52.1
500 60.5
630 67.2
800 63.0
1000 64.4
1250 66.4
1600 64.2
2000 61.6
2500 65.3
3150 71.3
4000 71.1
5000 75.8

Source: Study by ZT Dr. Pfeiler GesmbH, 29.06.2012

www.kielsteg.com
Sound transmission in structural floor and roof constructions, including joints, lateral direction 02:
OSB 18mm
KSE 380

Joint board

Saw cut

Joint fire tape

16/16 16/16
Trelleborg seal LVD 35

6.0

HF-Kombi 30/6 Fire-retardant plasterboard Knauf 1.5 cm (2 layers)

CW stud section 75 Isover Rollino 8.0cm
Standardized level difference:
Space between CW-Profilen sections
CW stud section 75 Isover Rollino 8.0cm
Fire-retardant plasterboard Knauf 1.5 cm (2 layers)
DnT = 62.0 dB
1.2 7.5 25.0 7.5 1.2
1.2 1.2

DnT
Frequency
1/3-
f
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 29.0
63 37.4
80 41.1
100 42.6
125 46.4
160 47.6
200 49.4
250 51.8
315 53.4
400 52.3
500 59.7
630 65.5
800 63.5
1000 66.8
1250 70.1
1600 67.5
2000 68.0
2500 71.6
3150 77.4
4000 78.6
5000 77.5

Source: Study by ZT Dr. Pfeiler GesmbH, 29.06.2012

www.kielsteg.com
Sound transmission in structural floor and roof constructions, lateral direction 03:
SPAX 10/600 VG SPAX 10/600 VG
4 Pcs./element 4 Pcs./element OSB 18mm
30° Grad 30° Grad KSE 380

TDPS Isover

OSB 15mm

OSB 15mm

16/16 16/16 Trelleborg seal LVD 35

6.0

HF-Kombi 30/6 Fire-retardant plasterboard Knauf 1.5 cm (2 layers) Standardized level difference:
CW stud section 75 Isover Rollino 8.0cm
Space between CW-Profilen sections
CW stud section 75 Isover Rollino 8.0cm DnT = 60.0 dB
Fire-retardant plasterboard Knauf 1.5 cm (2 layers)
1.2 7.5 25.0 7.5 1.2
1.2 1.2

DnT
Frequency
1/3-
f
octave
[Hz]
[dB]
50 30.0
63 38.3
80 41.2
100 35.8
125 42.0
160 44.6
200 42.3
250 47.8
315 52.2
400 54.1
500 61.6
630 68.3
800 69.2
1000 70.8
1250 73.6
1600 74.7
2000 77.0
2500 77.1
3150 78.4
4000 77.8
5000 75.6

Source: Study by ZT Dr. Pfeiler GesmbH, 29.06.2012

www.kielsteg.com