GB2489486A

GB2489486A - A stud wall acoustic spacer support

Info

Publication number: GB2489486A
Application number: GB1105383.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Julien Soulhat; Mark Shaddick; Andrew Watkins; Emmanuel Vial; Cyrille Demanet; Roger Arese
Original assignee: LAFARGE PLASTERBOARD Ltd; Lafarge Plasterboard Ltd
Current assignee: LAFARGE PLASTERBOARD Ltd; Etex Building Performance Ltd
Priority date: 2011-03-30
Filing date: 2011-03-30
Publication date: 2012-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-30
Also published as: BR112013024979B1; PT2691585T; BR112013024979A2; UA108555C2; PL2691585T3; GB201105383D0; PE20141730A1; EP2691585A1; GB2489486B; DK2691585T3; WO2012131284A1; CO6900124A2; CL2013002776A1; ES2716963T3; EP2691585B1

Abstract

A spacer support for a stud wall structure, the spacer support comprising panel supports and a bridge member extending between the panel supports, wherein the bridge member comprises bridge portions connected and separated by a decoupler 108. The decoupler 108 may be polymeric, or may be rubber-based acoustic isolation tape. The decoupler 108 may be fixed to the bridge portions by adhesive. The decoupler 108 may have a lower viscous damping ratio and a lower thermal conductivity than the bridge portions. Each panel support and associated bridge portion may be integral, the panel support comprising a web having an outer face for fastening walling material, such as plasterboard. The panel supports may comprise first and second side edges and the bridging portions may extend from one side laterally inboard of the first and second side edges. The decoupler 108 may be positioned equidistant from the two support portions, or may be closer to one than the other. The spacer may be able to be paired with another like spacer to create a box section. The invention extends to a stud wall structure comprising the spacer and a method of decoupling a pair of panel supports.

Description

I

Improvements relating to construction This invention relates to supports for use in construction. In particular, though not exclusively, the invention relates to spacer supports for use in frame construction.

Frame construction is a common building technique for the fabrication of so-called stud wall structures, which are especially useful as internal walls of buildings, e.g. partitions, but may also be used externally. Frame construction involves fastening sheets of walling material, such as plasterboard, to supports. A stud, also referred to as a post, upright or scantling, is an example of such a support. Furthermore, other supports, such as braces, are used in frame construction to hold or strengthen stud-type supports within the wall structure.

In its simplest form, frame construction involves fastening a sheet of walling material to either side of a row of supports (e.g. studs) to form a single stud' wall. An air gap between the sheets of walling material provides a degree of acoustic (sound) isolation.

Acoustic isolation is an important consideration in frame construction. It is hence common practice, particularly in partitioning, to use two rows of parallel supports (e.g. studs) and to fasten a single sheet of walling material to the outside faces of each of the paired supports. This creates an enlarged air gap within the resulting twin stud' wall, providing better low frequency acoustic insulation.

However, in both single stud' and twin stud' walls, supports have been found, undesirably, to act as acoustic bridges due to support-borne transmission of sound waves. This is a particular problem in single stud' walls but also occurs in twin stud' walls, where some form of brace (support) is generally fastened between parallel supports to provide adequate strength. As such a brace provides a stiff connection between supports, it provides an acoustic bridge, reducing overall acoustic isolating performance. Compared to single stud' construction, twin stud' construction also suffers from increased cost of materials and installation time.

In summary, although supports act as spacers in frame construction to provide isolating or insulating gaps, they themselves are often acoustic bridges, particularly when monolithic or made of metal, as is often the case in the prior art.

Attempts have been made to overcome this problem. EP1513989 Al discloses a wall stud comprising two opposing sidewalls interconnected by a spanning web including a curved member having at least one row of elongate slots formed therein along a longitudinal axis thereof.

Nevertheless, providing good a level of acoustic isolation at low cost, and without excessive installation time, remains a problem in the prior art. It is an object of the invention to address this and/or at least one other problem associated with the prior art.

From a first aspect, the invention resides in a spacer support for a stud wall structure, the spacer support comprising panel supports and a bridge member extending between the panel supports, wherein the bridge member comprises bridge portions connected and separated by a decoupler.

By separating the bridge portions of the bridge member, the decoupler mitigates acoustic coupling between the panel supports, thereby providing acoustic insulation. Likewise, the decoupler may mitigate thermal coupling between the panel supports. The term "mitigate" as used herein ideally also embraces prevention.

The decoupler may act as an acoustic decoupler, i.e. mitigate the transmission of sound between the bridge portions, in any effective manner. The intensity or amplitude of sound and vibrations is typically diminished by attenuation, i.e. absorption, reflection and/or scattering.

The decou pier disrupts support-borne transmission of sound by acting as a discontinuity in the bridge member, between the bridge portions. To further enhance acoustic attenuation, the decoupler may advantageously have a viscous damping ratio, e.g. measured according to ISO 4664-2:2006, in the range of from 0.01, 0.5, such as in the range of from 0.01 to 0.2, or preferably in the range of from 0.01 to 0.1. Preferably the viscous damping ratio of the decou pier may be lower than the viscous damping ratio of the bridge portions.

The decoupler may act as a thermal decoupler, i.e. mitigate the transfer of heat between the bridge portions, in any effective manner. The transfer of heat may be mitigated by counteracting or slowing one or more of conduction, convection and radiation.

Conduction has been found to be the prime cause of thermal bridging in spacer supports.

The decoupler can disrupt support-borne conduction of heat by acting as a discontinuity in the bridge member, between the bridge portions. To counteract conduction of heat, the decoupler may advantageously have a thermal conductivity of at most 0.2 W/(Km) more preferably at most 0.1 W/(Km). The minimum thermal conductivity of the decoupler may be 0.01 W/(Km). Preferably, the thermal conductivity and/or the thermal resistance of the decoupler may be lower than the thermal conductivity or resistance of the bridge portions. For example, to drastically reduce heat loss due to cold bridges, the thermal resistance of the decoupler may be at least five times higher than the thermal resistance of each bridge portion.

The decoupler may preferably be load-bearing, i.e. be capable of supporting weight in addition to its own. For example, the decoupler may advantageously be capable of supporting the weight of one or more of the panel supports and bridge portions. The decoupler may provide at least a majority of the shear resistance and/or pull out resistance of the connection between the bridge portions.

To ensure a high degree of acoustic and/or thermal insulation between the panel supports, the bridge portions may preferably be connected via the decoupler such that support-borne sound transmitted, and/or heat conducted, from a first support panel a second support panel must pass through the decoupler. For maximum insulation, the bridge portions may be connected solely via the decoupler.

For a good compromise between connective stiffness and acoustic attenuation or damping, the decoupler may advantageously have a Young Modulus measured according to ASTM E111-04 (2010) in the range of from 10 MPa to 50 MPa, preferably MPa to 15 MPa. The Poisson's ratio of the decoupler measured according to ASTM E132-04 (2010) may advantageously be in the range of from 0.40 to 0.50, preferably 0.45 to 0.5, most preferably 0.49 to 0.50.

To lend strength to the spacer support, the transversal shear resistance of the decou pier measured according to EN 14869-2:2004 may preferably be at least 300 N/m, whilst its tensile shear resistance may preferably be at least 500 N/m.

The decoupler may comprise any suitable material, for example material having one or more of the preferred properties listed above. Advantageously, the decoupler may comprise or consist of a polymeric material, preferably rubber. The decoupler may comprise a composite material, for example a laminate. Conveniently, the decou pier may comprise an acoustic isolation tape, which may preferably be rubber-based, i.e. comprise at least one rubber layer.

Advantageously, the decou pier may be fire retardant. Thus the decou pier may preferably comprise an intumescent material, i.e. a material that swells as a result of heat exposure, thus increasing in volume, and decreasing in density.

The decoupler may be fastened to the bridge portions with the help of an adhesive. The adhesive may be of any known type and may contribute to decoupling. Accordingly, the adhesive may optionally form part of the decoupler. In one embodiment the decoupler comprises a rubber-based acoustic isolation tape having layers of adhesive on opposed faces.

The decoupler may have a lateral width, a longitudinal length and a depth separating the bridge portions. Advantageously, the width of the decoupler may be greater than its depth. The length of the decoupler may preferably be greater than the width and the depth. Conveniently, the decoupler may be generally oblong or block-shaped.

The decoupler may be intermittent, i.e. comprise one or more gaps. Alternatively, the decou pier may be continuous.

The panel supports and/or bridge portions may preferably comprise a web, for example of cold rolled metal such as steel. The web may preferably have a thickness in the range of from 0.3 to 2mm, e.g. in the range of from 0.4 to 1.5 mm, preferably in the range of from 0.5 to 1 mm. Conveniently, each panel support and an associated bridge portion may be integral.

Preferably, the spacer support may comprise first and second panel supports and associated first and second bridge portions.

The panel supports may each comprise an outer face for supporting walling material, with the bridge portions and decoupler bridging a gap between the outer faces. The bridge portions may each comprise a connecting face fastened to the decoupler, for example with an adhesive as described above. The panel supports, outer faces and connecting faces may each comprise first and second lateral sides or boundaries defining their width and first and second longitudinal sides or boundaries defining their length.

Advantageously, the outer faces of the panel supports may be substantially parallel to each other. Similarly, the connecting faces of the bridge portions may be substantially parallel to each other and/or substantially parallel to one or more of the outer faces.

"Substantially parallel" may encompass, for example, a deviation in orientation of less than 5 degrees. A substantially parallel orientation of the faces helps to reduce shear strain on the decoupler and thus enhances the stability of the support.

Preferably, for stability and economy of space, the bridge portions may be arranged such that the connecting faces of the bridge portions and/or the decoupler lie laterally inboard of the first and second lateral boundaries of the panel supports. Most preferably a part of the connecting faces and/or the decoupler may lie laterally central within the spacer support.

The bridge portions may preferably extend from a lateral boundary or side of an associated panel support. For effective spacing, each bridge portion may comprise an orthogonal section, substantially perpendicular relative to its associated outer face.

Preferably, to position their connecting faces laterally inboard of the first and second lateral boundaries of the panel supports, the bridge portions may comprise a laterally inward-angled section.

In one embodiment, the decoupler is substantially equidistant from the panel supports.

However, advantageously, to assist so-called boxing of a plurality of spacer supports, the decoupler may alternatively be offset towards one of the panel supports. Preferably, the spacer support may comprise first and second bridge portions, with the first bridge portion bridging a greater distance than the second bridge portion.

The spacer support may preferably be a stud. The spacer support may preferably have a depth, measured between outer surfaces of the panel supports, of 50 mm or more, preferably 70 mm or more, 80 mm or more, or 90 mm or 100 mm, 150 mm, or even 200 mm or more. A greater depth helps to enhance the effect of the decoupler. The depth may, for example be 500 mm or less, or 300mm or less, or even 200 mm or less. The spacer support can thus provide acoustic and/or thermal decoupling in a space-efficient manner.

The invention also embraces a stud wall structure comprising a spacer support as described anywhere herein. Preferably the spacer support may define a gap formed between walling material of the stud wall structure, the walling material being affixed to the spacer support. The gap of the stud wall structure may advantageously comprise isolating or insulating material. The stud wall structure may for example be an internal or external wall or façade system.

The invention also extends to the use of a spacer support as described anywhere herein to support and space apart first and second panels of walling material.

From a second aspect, the invention resides in a method of decoupling first and second panel supports, the method comprising: spacing the panel supports to form a gap; and bridging the gap between the panel supports via a decoupler to connect and separate the first and second panel supports.

Where context permits, preferred features of each aspect of the invention may be as described in connection with any of the other aspects. Other advantages of the invention will be apparent to the skilled person from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings (not to scale) in which: Figure Ia is a schematic sectional view of a spacer support according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure I b is a perspective view of a segment of the spacer support of Figure 1 a; Figure 1 c is a top view of a segment of the spacer support of Figures 1 a and I b; Figure 2a is a schematic sectional view of a first web of the spacer support of Figures Ia to Ic; Figure 2b is a schematic sectional view of a second web of the spacer support of Figures Ia to Ic; Figure 2c is a schematic sectional view of a decoupler of the spacer support of Figures Iatolc; Figure 3a is a sectional view of a spacer support according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3b is a perspective view of a segment of the spacer support of Figure 3a; Figure 4a is a sectional view of two spacer supports according to the second embodiment of the invention in a boxed configuration; Figure 4b is a perspective view of a segment of the boxed spacer supports of Figure 4a; Figure 5 is a sectional view of a partition comprising spacer supports according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures Ia to Ic, in a first embodiment of the invention, a spacer support in the form of a stud 2, comprises first and second steel webs 4, 6 (hot dipped galvanised, EN 10327:2004 compliant), connected and separated by an acoustic and thermal decoupler in the form of an acoustic isolation tape 8.

The isolation tape 8 provides enhanced acoustic and thermal isolation or decoupling along a depth of the stud 2, between a distal end 10 and a proximal end 12 thereof. The stud 2, along with its parts, also has first and second lateral sides 14, 16 defining a width, and, as is best seen in Figure Ib, a longitudinal length (about 3 metres).

The steel webs 4, 6, having a thickness of approximately 0.52 mm, have been cold rolled into panel supports by passing them through a series of contoured rollers.

With reference to Figure 2a, the first web 4 comprises an outer portion I 8A representing a first panel support, and a bridge portion 20A extending distally from the outer portion 1 8A. The outer portion I 8A of the first web 4 acts as a proximal wall 22A of the stud 2 and presents a proximal outer face 24A for supporting proximal walling material (not shown in the Figures). In use of the stud, walling material such as plasterboard can be fastened to the outer portion I 8A for example with the help of self tapping or self drilling screws.

To enhance stiffness and facilitate location of the stud 2, the outer portion I 8A of the first web 4 comprises a laterally central, acutely angled groove 26A formed in the distal direction X. For the same reasons, the outer portion 18A also comprises a distally extending terminating shoulder 28A at its first lateral side 14.

The bridge portion 20A of the first web extends distally from the second lateral side 16 of the outer portion 18A. The bridge portion 20A comprises a first section 30A that is generally perpendicular to the outer face 24A and a second section 32A that is angled laterally inwardly from the first section 30A. The inwardly angled section 32A comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots 34 visible in the view of Figure Ic, and merges, via a kink 44A, into an inner section 36A having a connecting face 38A that is substantially parallel to the outer face 24A of the outer portion I 8A. Referring again to Figure 2a, the inner section 36A of the bridge portion has a distally extending terminating shoulder 40A to enhance stiffness and facilitate location of the bridge portion 20A with respect to the isolation tape 8, which is fastened to the connecting face 38A as will be described. The bridge portion 20A, with all its sections 30A, 32A, 36A, is an integral part of the first web 4, as is the outer portion I8A.

Referring now to Figure 2b, the second web of the stud is a mirror image of the first web.

Indeed, the second web is identical to the first web except for its orientation. Thus, save for a reversal in orientation with respect to the proximal and distal directions, Y, X, the description of the first web also applies to the second web.

The bridge portion 2DB of the second web 6 extends proximally from its outer portion 18B, which represents a second panel support and acts as a distal wall 22B of the stud, presenting a distal outer face 24B for supporting distal walling material. The groove 26B in the outer portion I8B of the second web 6 is formed in the proximal direction Y. The terminating shoulder 28B of the outer portion 1 8B of the second web also extends proximally, as does the terminating shoulder 40B of its inner section 36B. As in the first web, the inner section 36B comprises a connecting face 38B and is linked to the outer portion 18B by a laterally inwardly angled section 32B comprising slots 34, joined via a kink 44B to generally perpendicular section 30B.

Referring again to Figures Ia to Ic, the acoustic isolation tape 8 acting as the decoupler is fastened to the connecting faces 38A, 38B of the inner sections 36A, 36B of both bridge portions 20A, 20B, thereby connecting the first and second webs 4, 6. The isolation tape 8 is generally oblong or block shaped, i.e. rectangular in cross-section, and connects the webs such that their connecting faces 38A, 38B, and also the outer faces 24A, 24B that form the proximal and distal walls I8A, 18B of the stud 2, are all substantially parallel to each other.

Since the first and second webs are mirror images, their connection by the acoustic tape 8 results in a generally C-shaped cross section seen in Figure I a, albeit that the inwardly angled sections 32A, 32B cause the connecting faces 38A, 38B and isolation tape 8 to lie inboard of the lateral sides 14, 16 of the outerfaces 24A, 24B ofthewebs 4, 6. Indeed a part of the connecting faces 38A, 38B and of acoustic tape 8 lies laterally centrally within the stud 2. In this embodiment, the connecting faces 38A, 38B and the isolating tape 8 are substantially equidistant from the outer portions 18A, 18B and outer faces 24A, 24B of the webs 4,6.

As will be apparent from the above description, the bridge portions 20A, 20B of the webs 4, 6 combine with the isolating tape 8 to form a bridge member 46 that extends between the outer portions I 8A, I 8B of the webs 4, 6. The bridge member 46 thus bridges a gap 48 formed between the outer faces 24A, 24B of the webs 4, 6.

The of this embodiment stud has a lateral width of approximately 35 mm, which corresponds to the width of the outer portions I 8A, I 8B and faces 24A, 24B of the webs 4, 6 between first and second lateral sides 14, 16. The depth of the stud, measured from outer face 24A to outer face 24B, is approximately 90 mm, with the first and second webs 4, 6, and in particular the bridge portions 20A, 20B, contributing approximately 42 mm each.

Referring to Figure 2C, the isolation tape 8 comprises a core of black rubber 42 having a depth of approximately 6 mm and a lateral width of 15 mm. First and second faces 50A, SOB of the tape 8 bear a thin layer of adhesive 52A, 52B (e.g. less than 0.5 mm).

The isolation tape 8, including the adhesive, has a transversal shear resistance of at least 300 N/rn, a tensile shear resistance of at least 500 N/rn, a Young Modulus of 100 MPa, a Poisson's ratio of 0.49 and a viscous darnping ratio of 0.05.

The acoustic attenuation coefficients of the isolation tape in the audible frequency range (20 to 20,000 hertz) are higher than corresponding attenuation coefficient of the steel webs. Furthermore, by virtue of its rubber content, the isolation tape also has a lower thermal conductivity than the steel webs.

The isolation tape 8 is load-bearing in the sense that it is capable of supporting weight in addition to its own, namely that of the steel webs 4, 6, as shown in Figure Ia to Ic. The isolation tape 8 provides a rnajority of the shear resistance and/or pull out resistance of the connection between the webs 4, 6. Indeed, the bridge portions 20A, 20B are connected solely via the isolation tape 8. All support-borne sound transrnitted, and/or heat conducted, frorn one web to the other rnust hence pass through the isolation tape 8.

Therefore, the stud 2 of the first ernbodirnent of the invention provides excellent thermal and acoustic isolation between its proximal and distal walls 10, 12.

The physical properties of the isolation tape 8 are such that it is able to provide a suitably strong connection between the webs 4, 6 even without being longitudinally continuous.

The isolation tape is longitudinally continuous in this ernbodirnent, but could alternatively be intermittent, i.e. cornprise a plurality of strips sections separated longitudinally by air gaps between the connecting faces 36A, 36B of the bridge portions.

To assemble the stud of the first ernbodirnent, the isolation tape 8 is first fastened to the connecting face 36A of the first web 4 with the adhesive layer 52A on its first face 50A.

Thereafter, the connecting face 36B of the second web 6 is fastened to the isolation tape 8 with the adhesive 52B on the second face SOB of the tape 8.

Referring to Figures 3a and 3b, in a second embodiment of the invention, a spacer support in the form of a further stud 102, comprises first and second steel webs 104, 106 (hot dipped galvanised EN 10327:2004 compliant), connected and separated by an acoustic and thermal decou pier in the form of an acoustic isolation tape 108.

The parts and construction of the stud of the second embodiment of the invention are identical to those of the stud of the first embodiment of the invention, with like reference numerals indicated for like pads in Figures 3a and 3b (increased by 100), save that the second web 106 of the stud comprises an extended bridge portion 120B. Specifically, the inwardly angled section of the bridge portion I 32B is longer in the proximal direction Y, causing the connecting faces I 38A, 138B and isolating tape 108 to be offset towards the proximal wall 122A of the stud 102. For all other aspects of the structure of the stud 102 of the second embodiment, reference is made to the foregoing description of the stud of the first embodiment.

Whilst the stud 2 of the first embodiment has a symmetrical cross-section, the stud 102 according to the second embodiment is asymmetrical. Referring now to Figures 4a and 4b, the asymmetric structure of the stud 102 of the second embodiment is of particular benefit since it conveniently allows for boxing of two studs I 020, 1 02R to double the strength of the provided support.

To box first and second studs of the second embodiment, they are brought together with the proximal wall 122A of one stud 1020 overlying the distal wall 122B of the other stud I 02R and vice versa. The outer portion 11 8A of the first web 104 of the first stud 1020 overlies the outer portion I 18B of the second web 106 of the second stud I 02R, whilst the outer portion 11 8A of the first web 104 of the second stud I 02R overlies the outer portion 118B of the second web 106 of the first stud 1020. The grooves 126A, 126B and terminal shoulders I 28A, I 28B of the outer portions 11 8A, 11 8B of the webs 104, 106 assist in locating the studs 1020, 1 02R with respect to each other.

Referring still to Figures 4a and 4b, in the boxed configuration 158, the bridge portions 120A, 120B of the studs 1020, 102R lie at opposed lateral sides 214, 216 of the boxed stud. The connecting isolation tapes 108 lie inboard of the lateral sides 114, 116 of the studs 1020, 1 02R but, on account of the asymmetric structure of the studs I 02Q, I 02R (i.e. the offset of the tape 108Q, 108R and connecting faces 138A, 138B towards the proximal wall 122A of the stud) both have room within the gap 148 bridged by the bridge member 146.

Notably, since the bridge members 146 of the studs 1020, 1 02R, which are separated by the isolation tapes 108, form the only links between the walls 122A, 122B of the boxed studs 1020, 102R, all support-borne sound transmitted, and/or heat conducted, from one wall of the boxed stud to the other must pass through isolation tape 108. Therefore, the stud 1020 of the second embodiment of the invention provides excellent thermal and acoustic isolation, not only between its proximal and distal walls 122A, 122B, but also when combined with an identical stud 102R in a boxed configuration 158.

Example

Referring now to Figure 5, to test acoustic isolation performance of the stud 2 of the first embodiment, a 3m high and 3.2m wide partition having a partition surface of 9.8 m2 was installed in an acoustically isolated cell using four studs 2 according to the first embodiment of the invention. The walling material was 15 mm deep Lafarge GTEC LaDura plasterboard (16.0 kg/m2) and the gap between the plasterboard 60 was filled with 50 mm deep mineral wool 62 having a density of 1.1 kglm.

A measurement of airborne sound insulation was made in accordance with BS EN ISO 140-3:1995. The partition divided the cell into a source room 64 and a receiving room 66.

A sound level was applied in the source room in the range of frequencies from 50 to 5000 Hz and sound in the receiving room was measured. The difference between the applied sound level and the measured sound level was computed in accordance with BS EN ISO 717-1:1997, giving a sound insulation index Rw (C, Ctr) = 56 (-3, -10) dB, calculated between 100-31 50 Hz.

It was hence found that the partition comprising the stud according to the first embodiment of the invention provided an extra 6 db of isolation versus the standard stud and an additional 3 db compared to monolithic acoustic studs.

Claims

Claims 1. A spacer support for a stud wall structure, the spacer support comprising panel supports and a bridge member extending between the panel supports, wherein the bridge member comprises bridge portions connected and separated by a decoupler.
2. The spacer support of claim I wherein the viscous damping ratio of the decoupler is lower than the viscous damping ratio of the bridge portions.
3. The spacer support of any preceding claim wherein the decoupler has a lower thermal conductivity than the bridge portions.
4. The spacer support of any preceding claim wherein the decoupler is load-bearing.
5. The spacer support of any preceding claim wherein the bridge portions are connected via the decou pier such that support-borne sound transmitted, and heat conducted, from a first panel support to a second panel support must pass through the decoupler.
6. The spacer support of any preceding claim, wherein the decoupler has a Young Modulus in the range of from 10 MPa to 50 MPa and/or a Poisson's ratio in the range of from 0.45 to 0.50.
7. The spacer support of any preceding claim, wherein the decoupler comprises a polymeric material.
8. The spacer support of any preceding claim, wherein the decoupler comprises an intumescent material.
9. The spacer support of any preceding claim wherein the decoupler comprises a rubber-based acoustic isolation tape.
10. The spacer support of any preceding claim wherein the decoupler is fastened to the bridge portions with an adhesive.
11. The spacer support of any preceding claim wherein the decoupler has a lateral width, a longitudinal length and a depth separating the bridge portions and wherein the width of the decoupler is greater that its depth.
12. The spacer support according to any preceding claim wherein one or more of the panel supports or bridge portions comprises a web.
13. The spacer support according to any preceding claim wherein a panel support and an associated bridge portion are integral.
14. The spacer support according to any preceding claim wherein the panel supports each comprise an outer face for fastening walling material, with the bridge portions and decoupler bridging a gap between the outer faces.
15. The spacer support of any preceding claim wherein at least one of the bridge portions comprises a connecting face fastened to the decoupler.
16. The spacer support of any preceding claim wherein outer faces of the panel supports and/or connecting faces of the bridge portions are substantially parallel to each other.
17. The spacer support of any preceding claim wherein the panel supports comprise first and second lateral sides defining their width, and wherein the bridge portions are arranged such that the connecting faces of the bridge portions lie laterally inboard of the first and second lateral sides of the panel supports.
18. The spacer support of any preceding claim, wherein the bridge portions extend from a lateral side of an associated panel support and, to position their connecting faces laterally inboard of the first and second lateral sides of the panel supports, the bridge portions comprise a laterally inward-angled section.
19. The spacer support of any preceding claim, wherein the decoupler is offset towards one of the panel supports to allow boxing of the spacer support with an identical second spacer support.
20. The spacer support of any preceding claim comprising first and second bridge portions and wherein the first bridge portion bridges a greater distance than the second bridge portion.
21.The spacer support of any of claims 1 to 18, wherein the decoupler is substantially equidistant from the panel supports.
22. A spacer support arrangement comprising first and second spacer supports according to claims 19 or claim 20 in a boxed configuration.
23. A stud wall structure comprising a spacer support or spacer support arrangement according to any preceding claim.
24. A method of decoupling first and second panel supports, the method comprising: spacing the panel supports to form a gap; and bridging the gap between the panel supports via a decoupler to connect and separate the first and second panel supports.