Question: If a 300 lb uniform load is distributed over 24 inch^2 (estimated area of foot), and I add a 6x6 3/4" plywood centered underneath this uniform load, what is the remaining load carried by the same 24 inch^2 area, versus how much of it has been distributed to the rest of the plywood?
Background: One of my upstairs neighbours is very heavy. His bedroom is right above ours. The floor of his bedroom squeaks intensely, but only when he is walking on them. Other people in his family who have a smaller weight do not cause it to squeak. It seems like his weight causes the subfloor to deflect past a certain threshold that causes the squeaking. I don't have the money to replace the subfloor and have tried screwing down the floorboards. I am thinking of laying plywood sheets on his floor and covering with carpet. I am hoping that this will distribute his weight enough that the deflection threshold will not be reached. I believe I need to decrease the uniform load under the surface of his foot by 30% to prevent squeaking based on the fact that another person weighing 30% less does not cause the squeaking.
