Correlation between subjective and objective parameters of impact noise sources in wooden buildings

In the recent past, multi-storey wooden buildings are increasingly built in many European countries. Since years it is known that especially in wooden buildings the correlation between the standardized measuring and evaluation methods using the tapping machine and the human perception of impact noise can be poor. For wooden floor constructions it is rather difficult to fulfill given requirements. But even when they are met, low frequency transmission is still a main cause of complaints. In the AcuWood project measurements and recordings on different wooden floor constructions and one concrete floor, equipped with different floor coverings, were performed. Additionally to the standardized tapping machine, other technical impact sources as well as ""real"" sources were employed. On this database listening tests with subjective ratings of the signals were correlated to many single number descriptors, including standardized and non-standardized proposals. The analysis of the data gives answers to the questions which technical impact noise source is most appropriate to represent walking noise and which single number rating system is a good predictor for annoyance. Additionally, the data can be used to evaluate given requirements in terms of percentage of annoyed persons for the suggested single number ratings.