Subjective evaluation of footstep noise on lightweight structures - Design of laboratory experiments

Paper in proceeding, 2011

Footstep noise in dwellings with a lightweight structure is often perceived as more disturbing than footstep noise in a house with a heavyweight structure for an equal weighted impact noise level measured using a tapping machine. This is still the case when extending the frequency range down to 50 Hz. Many studies have been done on the subject during the latest decades, but no clear conclusion exist on all aspects of the subjective evaluation mechanisms involved with footstep noise. This paper presents the main findings from a literature survey on subjective aspects of footstep noise, low-frequency hearing, laboratory experiment design and annoyance studies in dwellings. The paper also presents the design of coming laboratory experiments on subjective evaluation of footstep noise within the AkuLite project, and some initial findings on acoustic characteristics of footsteps on both lightweight and heavyweight structures.