Acoustics in wooden buildings –

Correlation analysis of subjective

and objective parameters

Moritz Späh
Andreas Liebl
Philip Leistner

AcuWood Report 4
SP Report 2014:17
SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden
Box 857, 501 15 Borås, Sweden (headquarters)

SP Rapport 2014:17
ISBN 978-91-87461-67-5
ISSN 0284-5172
 Fraunhofer‐Institut für Bauphysik IBP
Forschung, Entwicklung,
Demonstration und Beratung auf
den Gebieten der Bauphysik
Zulassung neuer Baustoffe,
Bauteile und Bauarten
Bauaufsichtlich anerkannte Stelle für
Prüfung, Überwachung und Zertifizie-
rung
Institutsleitung
Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerd Hauser
Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Sedlbauer

Project Report No. 4

Results of the project:

correlation analysis of subjective and
objective parameters
(Translation of „Abschlussbericht
AcuWood“)

WoodWisdom-Net:
AcuWood – Acoustics in Wooden
Buildings
Research project 033R056

The report comprises

69 pages of text
9 tables
35 figures

Moritz Späh, Andreas Liebl, Philip Leistner

Stuttgart, 24.10.2013

Project leader Editor

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. Moritz Späh

Philip Leistner

Fraunhofer-Institut für Bauphysik

Nobelstraße 12 · D-70569 Stuttgart Institutsteil Holzkirchen Projektgruppe Kassel
Telefon +49 (0) 711/970-00 Fraunhoferstr. 10 · D-83626 Valley Gottschalkstr. 28a · D-34127 Kassel
Telefax +49 (0) 711/970-3395 Telefon +49 (0) 8024/643-0 Telefon +49 (0) 561/804-1870
www.ibp.fraunhofer.de Telefax +49 (0) 8024/643-366 Telefax +49 (0) 561/804-3187
Contents

1 Introduction 4
1.1 Task 5
1.2 Condition of project work 5
1.3 Planning and execution of the project 7
1.4 State of the art 7
1.4.1 Standardized rating method according to ISO 717 7
1.4.2 Extension of the frequency range 8
1.4.3 Further rating methods 9
1.4.4 Subjective rating of impact sound 9

2 Rating methods for technical assessment 10

2.1 Method 10
2.2 Rating methods used for the standard tapping machine 10
2.2.1 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level
L'nT,w referring to DIN EN ISO 717-2 11
2.2.2 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level
L'nT,w with spectrum adaptation term CI 13
2.2.3 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level
L'nT,w according to Gösele 14
2.2.4 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level
L'nT,w according to Fasold 15
2.2.5 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level
L'nT,w according to Bodlund 16
2.2.6 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level
L'nT,w according to reversed A-weighting 18
2.2.7 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level
L'nT,w according to Hagberg 19
2.2.8 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level
L'nT,w according to the hearing threshold 21
2.2.9 Weighted impact sound pressure level according to
JIS A 1419-2 22
2.2.10 JIS A 1419-2 method 2: weighted impact sound
pressure level L'i,r 22
2.2.11 JIS A 1419-2 method 3: weighted impact sound
pressure level L'i,A 23
2.2.12 JIS A 1419-2 method 4: weighted impact sound
pressure level L'i,AW 24
2.2.13 A-weighted standardized sum of impact sound levels
L'nT,A,sum 25
2.2.14 Rating method according to AkuLite CI,AkuLite,20-2500 26
2.2.15 Rating method according to AkuLite CI,AkuLite,20-2500,Sweden 28
2.3 Rating method for the modified tapping machine 28

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 2

 2.3.1 A-weighted standardized sum impact sound
levels L'nT,A,sum 28
2.4 Rating method for the Japanese rubber ball 29
2.4.1 JIS A 1419-2 method 1: rating according to
DIN EN ISO 717-2 29
2.4.2 JIS A 1419-2 method 2: weighted impact sound
pressure level L'i,Fmax,r 29
2.4.3 JIS A 1419-2 method 3: weighted impact sound
pressure level L'i,A,Fmax 30
2.4.4 JIS A 1419-2 method 4: weighted impact sound
pressure level L'i,Fmax,AW 31
2.4.5 KS F 2863-2 method 1: weighted impact sound
pressure level L'i,Fmax,AW,H 32
2.4.6 KS F 2863-2 method 2: weighted impact sound
pressure level L'i,avg,Fmax,(63-500Hz) 32
2.4.7 A-weighted standardized maximum sum level
L'nT,A,F,max,sum 32

3 Results: Correlation of subjective and

objectiveparameters 32
3.1 Representative impact sound source 33
3.1.1 Representative impact sound source for walking
(footstep noise) 34
3.1.2 Representative impact sound source for the moving of
chairs 37
3.2 Optimized rating method 41
3.2.1 Rating method for the standard tapping machine 42
3.2.2 Rating method for the modified tapping machine 46
3.2.3 Rating method for the Japanese rubber ball 48
3.3 Requirement values 51
3.3.1 Requirement values for the standard tapping machine 52
3.3.2 Requirement values for the modified tapping machine 58
3.3.3 Requirement values for the Japanese rubber ball 60

4 Results: Subjective rating of residents by a

questionnaire-based field study 62

5 Summary 62

6 References 66

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 3

1 Introduction
Multi-storey apartment houses or office buildings are more often built in tim-
ber construction in Europe. The reasons for this development are the sus-
tainability of timber as building material, the development towards industrial
pre-fabrication of constructional parts, and the related cost reduction in build-
ing construction. In the last few years, the construction of multi-storey timber
buildings was principally facilitated by the approving authorities. The essen-
tial problem of fire protection has been solved in the meantime so that the
construction of multi-storey apartment houses in timber construction is now
possible. Therefore, acoustical problems are nowadays principal and deci-
sive obstacles for multi-storey timber constructions.

Current requirements of multi-storey residential construction are based on

the experience of massive construction, since multi-storey timber construc-
tion was not possible due to the requirements of fire protection until recently.
The acoustic perception in buildings in lightweight construction is different in
comparison to massive construction. Especially the impact sound transmis-
sion in the low frequency range gives rise to complaints in timber construc-
tion [1].

The currently used rating system for airborne and impact sound transmission
in buildings was developed in the 1950s aiming at assessing the usual build-
ing constructions. In the following years, the constructions of residential and
office buildings changed remarkably. In 1996, spectrum adaptation terms for
airborne and impact sound insulation were introduced in ISO 717 [2, 3] al-
lowing a modified rating method and the extension of the weighted frequency
range to 50 Hz by adequate spectrum adaptation terms. By introducing mul-
ti-storey residential timber construction it became obvious that the currently
used rating method without spectrum adaptation terms cannot avoid in-
creased annoyance especially caused by impact sound. Therefore, the ap-
plication of spectrum adaptation terms (with a frequency range down to 50
Hz) became more and more urgent. No reliable information, however, was
available until this project was started, which requirement values for the
normalized impact sound pressure level with spectrum adaptation term CI,50 –
2500 Hz shall be used. For a long time, it has been known that airborne sound
transmission of timber floors is generally unproblematic, if impact sound in-
sulation is sufficiently high. Therefore, the airborne sound insulation of the
investigated floors was measured within the framework of the project, how-
ever, the focus and aims of the project were in the field of impact sound insu-
lation. Special investigations of the vibration performance of floors were car-
ried out in the affiliated project AkuLite in Sweden.

Thus, the project aim was to find improved technical rating methods for im-
pact sound by correlating technical ratings with subjective ratings of impact
sound. Accompanying questionnaires of residents of timber buildings were
carried out to verify the statements of laboratory listening tests by field ques-
tionnaire results. In order to consider all currently used floor constructions a

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 4

 massive concrete floor with floating cement screed was included besides
various timber floors. This provided an additional data set of a reference
floor, with which the timber floor results could be compared.

1.1 Task

Since the problem of annoyance due to impact sound occurs primarily in

multi-storey timber constructions, this project was aimed at developing rating
methods for impact sound, which clearly better correlate with the subjective
rating of impact sound in buildings. The rating methods proposed, however,
should not only be suitable for timber construction but also includes massive
and hybrid constructions.

The discrepancy between acoustic requirements in national standards and

the subjective perception of residents is a general problem, which occurs
especially to multi-storey timber construction and other multi-storey buildings
in lightweight construction throughout Europe [1, 4, 5].

Although it was attempted to solve the problems of the weighted sound re-
duction index Rw [2, 6] and the weighted normalized impact sound pressure
level Ln,w [3, 7] by introducing the spectrum adaptation terms, this was not
achieved so far [8]. The most significant problem in the field of sound insula-
tion is the impact sound insulation of timber floors or lightweight floor con-
structions and additionally the airborne sound insulation of external building
components like walls and roofs to a lower extent. Although a few investiga-
tions of sound transmission and subjective perception of impact and airborne
sound in timber constructions were carried out, no extensive investigation of
rating methods for impact sound insulation is available so far [9–13].

1.2 Condition of project work

The project AcuWood is a joint European project within the context of

WoodWisdom.Net. It was applied for in the 2nd Joint Call 2009. The project
partners are:

 Coordinator:
SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden / SP Trätek, Sweden

 Peab, Industrial Partner, Sweden

 Fraunhofer Institut für Bauphysik IBP, Stuttgart, Germany

 Bundesverband Deutscher Fertigbau e. V. BDF Bad Honnef, Germa-

ny

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 5

  Deutscher Holzfertigbau Verband e.V. DHV, Stuttgart, Germany

 Lignum, Holzwirtschaft Schweiz, Zurich, Switzerland

The research project is divided into four work packages with the following
contents:

 Work package A: coordination and project management, dissemina-

tion of the results

 Work package B: measurement of airborne and impact sound insula-

tion by excitation of various technical and human noise sources,
questionnaires and psychoacoustic investigations of sound percep-
tion in the laboratory and in the field

 Work package C: data analysis, variation and correlation of subjec-

tive and objective results, development of an enhanced impact sound
source, definition of uniform rating criteria, validation of the devel-
oped method and criteria

 Work package D: development of an enhanced measurement and

rating system, integration of the system in European standards,
communication of the system to the outside world

The work packages were attributed to the partners as follows:

Work packages A and D: SP Trätek, Sweden

Work packages B and C: Fraunhofer IBP, Germany

In addition to the investigations carried out in Germany in the laboratory or in

field constructions (AcuWood Report 1 [14]) further measurements in multi-
storey timber buildings in Switzerland were conducted due to the support of
Lignum (AcuWood Report 2 [15]). They were planned and coordinated by
Lignum Holzwirtschaft in Switzerland and carried out by the Fraunhofer IBP
with the support of Lignum. Moreover, the cooperation with Lignum also pro-
vided a questionnaire survey of residents of timber buildings in Switzerland.
The data gained also added to the database of the AcuWood project allow-
ing the determination of results for usual timber constructions of single-family
houses as well as for multi-storey apartment houses. Insofar, the value of
the data acquisition as well as the value of the results of the AcuWood pro-
ject could be increased considerably. Our special thanks go to Lignum for
their extensive support.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 6

1.3 Planning and execution of the project

Planning and controlling the execution of the project rested with the project
management of SP Trätek. The tasks within the work packages were carried
out as described in the application. During the execution of work package B
and C minor delays occurred at the IBP.They were eliminated in the course
of the project so that it was completed according to the plan. During the pro-
ject, 7 meetings took place so that all in all there was a project meeting ap-
prox. every 6 months, where all project partners were informed of the project
progress. When necessary, additional meetings were conducted with indus-
trial partners for information on their concerns regarding the progress of the
project. All meetings are described in the half-year assessment reports for
BMBF

This report primarily contains the description of the method and results of
work packages B and C. The results of the total project AcuWood can be
found in the reports of the AcuWood project, which are worked out by SP
Trätek. The Fraunhofer IBP established reports in English on the AcuWood
project, for detailed information see [14-16].

1.4 State of the art

1.4.1 Standardized rating method according to ISO 717

The objective rating of impact sound insulation is based on measurements in

buildings by means of the standard tapping machine. The measurements are
described in DIN EN ISO 140 [17] based on ISO 140 [18]. The requirement
values vary within European countries by the hight of the requirements but
also by the rating parameters.

A short survey of the development of the requirement values for airborne

and impact sound insulation is given in [4]. The currently used rating method
of ISO 717 [6, 7] is based on a German rating method and described for ex-
ample in [19]. Since the sound insulation and the impact sound pressure
level are dependent on the frequency, the values were arithmetically deter-
mined in Germany before the current method was developed. In the 1950s
already it was known that single number value calculated in this way did not
correlate with the subjectively perceived noise. Therefore, Cremer [20] sug-
gested a rating method, where the measured sound insulation in the fre-
quency range from 100 Hz to 3150 Hz was compared with a reference
curve. These reference curves showed in principal the frequency spectrum
of the sound insulation and impact sound pressure levels of common build-
ing components of that time. The rating curves were shifted so that the
measuring curve to be rated only falls below a certain extent of the weighting
curve (in case of airborne sound insulation) or does not exceed a certain ex-
tent (in case of the measurement of impact sound pressure level). A general

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 7

 validation of the method showed that this method reflected the subjective
impression of building constructions, which were common at that time. A few
rules to calculate the single number value were adjusted over the years [4],
but the weighting curves were not modified and are still applied in ISO 717.

1.4.2 Extension of the frequency range

For a long time, the building acoustic frequency range has been used in third
octaves from 100 to 3150 Hz to assess airborne and impact sound insulation
[4]. ISO 717 issue of 1996 introduced spectrum adaptation terms, which ex-
tended the possible weighted frequency range from 50 to 5000 Hz. Since
1998, the frequency range for minimum requirements was extended to 50 Hz
in Sweden [4], due to the experience with traditional lightweight construc-
tions, particularly in the Scandinavian countries Norway and Sweden, but al-
so Canada. For noise control criteria of higher noise control classes, ratings
in the low frequency range to 50 Hz were carried out in Denmark, Sweden,
Norway, Finland, Iceland and Lithuania in the last decade [4]. Frequencies
below 100 Hz are essential for the subjective rating of impact sound insula-
tion. Studies showed that frequencies down to 16 Hz may be necessary to
achieve good correlation of subjective and objective rating of impact sound
[21]. Unfortunately, the measurement of reverberation time at low frequen-
cies is becoming increasingly difficult. Thus, the measurement range was
limited to 20 Hz to 5000 Hz in this project.

Besides the extension of the frequency range to lower frequencies to 50 Hz

and to higher frequencies up to 5000 Hz the introduction of the spectrum ad-
aptation terms also caused a modification of the rating method. The spec-
trum adaptation term alone does not describe the building component but is
only reasonable in the context of the single number value determined by the
conventional method by means of the shifted weighting curve, the normal-
ized impact sound pressure level or the standardized impact sound pressure
level. The reason is that the sum from normalized impact sound pressure
level and spectrum adaptation term represents the sum of the A-weighted
third octave values in the specified frequency range. To achieve the spec-
trum adaptation term the normalized impact sound pressure level is sub-
tracted from the sum. Since the sum from normalized impact sound pressure
level and spectrum adaptation term represents the sum of the A-weighted
third octave band values, the introduction of the spectrum adaptation terms
means the adaptation of another rating method, whereby the calculation of
the single number value by means of the shifted weighting curve is no longer
necessary. This becomes more obvious, if the drafts of ISO 16717 [22] and
[23] are taken into consideration, which is meant to replace the currently val-
id ISO 717 in the future.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 8

1.4.3 Further rating methods

The rating methods described refer to the application of the standard tapping
machine, which has been introduced for impact sound measurements for a
long time. Since this source and the principal rating method by shifting the
weighting curve have been introduced, criticism occurred based on the poor
correlation of the weighted impact sound pressure level and the subjective
perception. From time to time proposals were made to modify the rating
method or to leave the method as it is but modify the weighting curve in form
and frequency range. Among these proposals are those of Fasold [24] and
Gösele [19], but also of Bodlund [25] and Hagberg [26]. The latest proposals
are derived from the AkuLite project, which is the Swedish preceding project
of the AcuWood project [27, 28]. In addition, rating methods for the standard
tapping machine are described in the Japanese standard JIS A 1419-2 [29]
and in the Korean standard KS F 2863-2.

The Japanese standard JIS A 1419-2 [29] and the Korean standard KS F
2863-2 describe rating methods for the Japanese rubber ball developed by
Tachibana [30]. All these and some other rating methods were applied in the
AcuWood project. They are described in chapter 2.

1.4.4 Subjective rating of impact sound

Within the context of the AkuLite project a comprehensive literary study was
carried out in Sweden on the annoyance of noise in buildings, the subjective
perception of impact sound by footstep noise and a survey of various meth-
ods of listening tests in work package 1 [31]. Moreover, the method applied
in the AkuLite project is reported. The subjective rating in the AkuLite project
is based on the analysis of Thorsson [31]. To carry out the listening tests in
this project another method was selected. Instead of recording the vibration
velocity of the floor during the measurement and playing back by a loud-
speaker at the ceiling of the listening room, recording in the AcuWood pro-
ject was done by an artificial head. The Play-back in the listening test was
performed by adjusted headphones. The adjustment procedure is described
in AcuWood Report No. 3 [16]. The binaural playback by headphones al-
lowed the localization of the impact sound source in the listening test, similar
to the set–up in the AkuLite project. The impact of the localization of the
source on the subjective rating was investigated in a first listening test within
the context of the AcuWood project. It was found that the localization had an
influence on the subjective rating. Thus, all recordings for the main listening
tests in the AcuWood project were performed by means of the artificial head.

The disadvantage of the selected method is that the room acoustics of the
receiving room in the construction has an impact on the recorded signal.
This impact is reduced in the AkuLite project. To reduce the impact of room
acoustics on the recordings, almost all measurements were carried out in

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 9

 rooms with similar dimensions and volume. In addition, by using sound ab-
sorbers in the receiving room it was attempted during the measurements to
achieve similar room acoustic conditions. The result was reverberation times
similar to those in occupied rooms and close to 0.5 s. Deviations were ac-
cepted primarily in construction measurements, if the rooms were unoccu-
pied. The measured reverberation times are described in Report No. 1 [14]
and Report No. 2 [15]. Further information on the listening tests is described
in Report No. 3 [16].

2 Rating methods for technical assessment

2.1 Method

The technical rating of impact sound is performed by a standardized tech-

nical impact sound source in the source room exciting the floor between
source room and receiving room. The transmitted impact sound pressure
level is measured in the receiving room and assessed by a rating method.
This assessment achieves that a so-called „single number value“ and is de-
termined from a frequency-dependent spectrum describing the impact sound
transmission and thus the quality of the floor structure concerning the impact
sound excitation. The currently used standardized impact sound source is
the standard tapping machine, and the assessment and determination of the
single number value is done according to ISO 717-2 [7]. This rating method
has been criticized since it was introduced. Thus, there have always been
proposals to modify the rating method, whereby most methods referred to a
modification of the weighting curve of ISO 717-2. The essential proposals
from literature were integrated and applied in this project. Moreover, other
rating methods were used, which seemed to be reasonable. To assess the
Japanese rubber ball the Japanese standard JIS A 1419-2 [29] and the Ko-
rean standard KS F 2863-2 were applied. This project was not aimed at
developing a own suggestion for a rating method.

2.2 Rating methods used for the standard tapping machine

The rating methods used to obtain a single number value from the frequen-
cy-dependent measured impact sound pressure level are described in the
following.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 10

2.2.1 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level L'nT,w referring to DIN EN ISO
717-2

DIN EN ISO 717-2 [5] describes the method to determine the weighted nor-
malized impact sound pressure level L'n,w or the weighted standardized im-
pact sound pressure level L'nT,w. The rating procedure for both single number
values is similar.

The requirements of DIN 4109 [32] refer to the weighted normalized impact
sound pressure level L'n,w. This standard is reviewed at present so that it is
not clear on which of the two previously described values of L'n,w or L'nT,w the
future requirements of the new DIN 4109 will be referred to. The latest guide-
line of VDI 4100 [33] gives requirements referring to the weighted standard-
ized impact sound pressure level L'nT,w. This seems to be reasonable, since
the requirements are then no longer given for the partition building element
but for the building situation. Thus, the evaluation in this project was essen-
tially related to reverberation-corrected spectra including L'nT,w. The influence
of the reverberation time correction on the correlation coefficient and the
evaluation results in chapter 3 is relatively small.

The standardized impact sound pressure level L´nT is calculated according

to:

L′ L′ 10log dB (1)

with:

L´i: measured sound pressure level in the receiving room in dB (These val-
ues are described in both AcuWood reports [14, 15] for all measure-
ments carried out in the project.)

T: measured reverberation time in the receiving room in s

T0: reference reverberation time of 0.5 s

The standardized impact sound pressure level L´nT can also be calculated
from the normalized impact sound pressure level L´n.

L′ L′ 10log 15 dB (2)

L´n: normalized impact sound pressure level in dB

V: Volume of receiving room in m³

Due to the reference curve method of DIN EN ISO 717-2 [7] the single num-
ber value L'nT,w is determined from the measured third octave spectrum. In

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 11

 the procedure, a given weighting curve for the frequency range from 100 to
3150 Hz is shifted in a way that the sum of exceeding third octave band fre-
quency values of the measuring curve above the weighting curve is as high
as possible, but not higher than 32 dB. Hereby, only the exceeding frequen-
cy values in the frequency range from 100 to 3150 Hz are taken into ac-
count. The single number value L'nT,w is the value of the shifted weighting
curve at 500 Hz. According to DIN EN ISO 7171-2, the reference curve is
shifted in 1 dB steps. Therefore, the uncertainty of the single number values
is higher than for single number values with one digit after the decimal point.
The shifting of the weighting curve was therefore defined in 0.1 dB steps in
this report. Figure 1 shows the reference curve and the measured values L'nT
of the timber floor without screed and floor covering as example of the de-
termination of the standardized impact sound pressure level L'nT,w .

Fig. 1: weighting curve of DIN EN ISO 717-2 and measured values of

the standard tapping machine on the timber floor without screed
and floor covering in test facility P8 of the IBP.

The diagram shows that the unfavorable exceeding third octave values for
the floor occur at low frequencies from 100 to 500 Hz. The characteristics of
the measuring curve below 100 Hz are not taken into account.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 12

2.2.2 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level L'nT,w with spectrum adapta-
tion term CI

The spectrum adaptation term CI was introduced by the reviewed DIN EN

ISO 717-2 [3] 1997. This additional value shall contribute to a better rating of
the excitation by the standard tapping machine in regard to the real footstep
noise, and to a better adjustment of the single number value to the human
perception of impact noise. The sum from the weighted standardized impact
sound pressure level L’nT,w and the spectrum adaptation term CI can be cal-
culated by:

L′ , C L′ , 15 (3)

where:

L’nT,sum: sum of the third octave band values of the defined frequency
range in dB.

L’nT,w: weighted standardized impact sound pressure level in dB

The sum of the third octave band values of the standardized impact sound
pressure level is determined by:

,
L′ , 10log 10 dB (4)

L’nT,i: standardized impact sound pressure level in third-octave band i

in dB. Hereby, the frequency range from 100 to 2500 Hz or from
50 to 2500 Hz is taken into consideration. The frequency range
used is described by an index of CI (CI,100-2500 or CI,50-2500).

k: number of frequency bands

The spectrum adaptation term is calculated by a conversion of the equation

(3):

C L′ , 15 L′ , (5)

As it can be seen from the equations, the calculation of the spectrum adapta-
tion term is a different rating method than the assessment by the shifted
weighting curve. Since the spectrum adaptation term is only meaningful in
combination with the normalized or standardized impact sound pressure lev-
el, the explicit calculation of the normalized or standardized impact sound
pressure level is no longer necessary. This would also make the rating
method with the shifting of a reference curve unnecessary. This is taken into

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 13

 consideration in the draft of ISO 16717 [23], which shall replace the current
DIN EN ISO 717 in the future.

2.2.3 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level L'nT,w according to Gösele

In 1965, K. Gösele [19] suggested the definition of an ideal weighting curve

for impact sound rating. In his opinion the ideal weighting curve shall rate the
impact sound adjusted to the sensitivity of the human hearing, and shall re-
duce the differences between real noises of impact sound noise and those of
the standard tapping machine. Gösele found that the A-weighted scale better
accounts for the frequency-dependent sensitivity of human hearing and also
better rates the impact sound. The standard tapping machine is very loud in
comparison with walking noise or other living noise, and in contrast to the
walking noises it is clearly higher in frequencies. Nevertheless, according to
Gösele the ideal weighting curve shall be optimized and not the tapping ma-
chine. He also wanted to consider other noises of impact sound, which are
higher in frequency then walking, for example the dropping of objects. „If
both cases are taken into consideration, an averaged curve can be
searched, whereby the frequency of annoyance of the one or the other
source can both be regarded. It is, however, more useful to take both kinds
of excitation into consideration by taking the stricter of the two requirements
as a basis.“ Due to these considerations he suggested the weighting curve
represented in Figure 2.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 14

 Fig. 2: weighting curve according to Gösele [19] and measured values
of the standard tapping machine on a timber floor in the test fa-
cility P8 of the IBP.

The weighting curve of Gösele increases towards low frequencies and pos-
esses a shape opposite to the ISO 717 weighting curve. The weighted fre-
quency range is with 100 to 3150 Hz the same. The rating methodology is
similar to ISO 717.

2.2.4 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level L'nT,w according to Fasold

In 1965, Fasold [24] also published a suggestion for a weighting curve. In his
opinion the essential tasks of rating were the definition of a minimum re-
quirement for noise control as well as the fact that the results should corre-
late well with the subjective acoustical impression.

To define the weighting curve a „reasonable noise“ was determined, which

residents must tolerate, if noise is audible from adjacent apartments. In a
second step, the „mean annoying living noise“ was determined composed by
various noises within apartments. The weighting curve was defined by
means of the two processes. Subsequently, the suitability of the derived
curve was to be investigated or verified by calculations of loudness and sub-
jective measurements.

The weighting curve of Fasold [24] was adjusted to the frequency response
of the „mean annoying living noise“ and simultaneously observes the charac-
teristics of the standard tapping machine.

To derive the weighting curve Fasold applied the following method:

To the reasonable noise in one-third octave bands, 5 dB were added so that

octave levels were achieved. This curve gave usual living noise with distinc-
tively lower levels than those of the standard tapping machine. The differ-
ence between standard tapping machine level and the level of the „reasona-
ble noise“ were added to the level of the „reasonable noise “. The impact
sound pressure level LT was converted by

L L 10 lg dB (6)

with

LT: impact sound pressure level in dB

A: sound absorption area from averaged living rooms in m²

A0: equivalent sound absorption area of 10 m²

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 15

 Tohe normalized impact sound pressure level LN and defined as weighting
curve. The intensification of the weighting curve in the range from 800 Hz to
3150 Hz was to consider the increased annoyance of this frequency band for
human hearing. The weighting curve proposed by Fasold is shown in Figure
3.

Fig. 3: weighting curve according to Fasold [24] and measured values of

the standard tapping machine on the timber floor in test facility
P8 of IBP.

The weighting curve according to Fasold shows a different gradient in com-

parison to the curve of ISO 717. The curve has a constant value within the
building acoustic measurement range from 100 to 3150 Hz. It is essential
that the weighted frequency range reaches from 50 to 5000 Hz. The curve
increases below 100 Hz up to 50 Hz and decreases at high frequencies from
3150 Hz to 5 kHz. The rating methodology is similar to ISO 717.

2.2.5 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level L'nT,w according to Bodlund

K. Bodlund describes in [25] three fundamental options to solve the problem

of rating impact sound. One solution would be to introduce a new technical
impact sound source, which best reproduces the real impact sound, or to
modify the rating methods to determine the single number value. He also
considered using both options simultaneously. In his work, he decided to
modify the rating method, since the standard tapping machine had already
been established as technical impact sound source.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 16

 In his investigations he also found out that the spectrum of the standard tap-
ping machine does not cover the spectrum of living impact sound in the low-
frequency range and that the weighting curve of DIN EN ISO 717-2 [7]
weights the mean and higher frequencies considerably stronger than the low
frequencies.

By correlation investigations between the subjective assessment of residents

in buildings and the single number parameters determined from a variety of
different weighting curves, Bodlund [25] defined his reference curve. A large-
scale study was carried out in Sweden for this purpose. Sound measure-
ments were carried out in various apartment houses in timber and massive
construction, and in discussions with apartment owners the subjective audi-
tory impression with regard to impact sound was inquired. The weighting
curve derived by Bodlund [25] is shown in Figure 4.

Fig. 4: weighting curve according to Bodlund [25] and measured values

of the standard tapping machine on the timber floor of test facility
P8 of IBP.

The weighting curve covers a frequency range from 50 to 1000 Hz. Fre-
quencies higher than 1000 Hz are not considered which is adequate for the
usual impact sound of living noise. The curve shows a straight line with posi-
tive increase of 1 dB per one-third octave. Thus, the low frequencies are
clearly stronger weighted then higher frequencies. The reference curve shift-
ing procedure and the maximum sum of 32 dB as well as the determined
single number parameter by the value of the shifted reference curve at 500
Hz is similar to DIN EN ISO 717-2.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 17

2.2.6 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level L'nT,w according to reversed
A-weighting

In his publication of 1999, P. Sipari [34] continues an idea of Gösele [19] by

using the reversed A-weighting as reference curve to determine the single
number value. This is equivalent to subtracting the A-weighting from the
standardized impact sound pressure level and using a weighting curve equal
over all frequencies. This idea of rating is applied in this project. The method
of shifting the weighting curve and of the maximum sum of 32 dB was main-
tained from the ISO 717 method. The reference curve of the reversed A-
weighting is shown in Figure 5.

Fig. 5: weighting curve according to reversed A-weighting and meas-

ured values of the standard tapping machine on the timber floor
in test facility P8 of IBP.

Hereby, the extended building acoustic measurement range from 50 to 3150

Hz is considered. The curve shows that the rating is performed rather at the
mid frequencies due to the increase of the weighting curve towards low fre-
quencies.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 18

2.2.7 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level L'nT,w according to Hagberg

Hagberg‘s considerations in [26] from 2010 are based on Bodlund’s investi-

gations [25]. In the process, he takes up the results and extends them by
carrying out further measurements and questionnaires on the subjective au-
ditory impression of inhabitants. As Bodlund did he also carried out correla-
tion analyses by comparing the subjective parameters with the measured
standardized single number values and others, achieved by different rating
methods.

In his investigations he found that the reference curve must be plane in the
mid and high frequency range. Only in the low-frequency range he suggests
a decrease of 5.5 dB / third-octave of the curve towards low frequencies to
50 Hz, so that low frequencies between 50 and 100 Hz are clearly increas-
ingly weighted to low frequencies. From 100 Hz on upwards his curve has
frequency independent values.

Hagberg varied the inclination of the curve in the low frequency range for
evaluation until the correlation coefficient between technical rating and sub-
jective assessment was greatest. The great inclination below 100 Hz weights
the higher annoyance effect in the low frequency range, if for example walk-
ing noise occurs or children are jumping around. In contrast to Bodlund,
Hagberg defines his curve up to 3150 Hz, since he assumes that also high
frequency excitations might results in annoyance in buildings. Hagberg de-
notes this weighting curve in [26] new,03. It is shown in Figure 6.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 19

 Fig. 6: weighting curve according to Hagberg new,03 [26] and measured
values of standard tapping machine on the timber floor in test fa-
cility P8 of IBP.

The rating method is performed similar to the ISO 717 method.

In his further considerations, Hagberg suggested that the plane curve should
decrease with a defined inclination in the high frequency range, since not on-
ly timber floors should be covered by the method but also massive floors
with hard floor coverings. In this context, high frequencies caused by other
sources of excitation, for example the dropping of hard objects, could cause
problems. Without any further investigations he defined a decrease of 1 dB /
one-third octave above 315 Hz and developed weighting curve new,04,
which is shown in Figure 7.

Fig. 7: weighting curve according to Hagberg new,04 [26] and measured

values of standard tapping machine on the timber floor in test fa-
cility P8 of IBP.

The graphs of the weighting curves in Figure 6 and 7 show that the exceed-
ing values for the shown measuring curve occur at the same frequencies.
Thus, both methods should give similar single number values. However, for
method new,04 it is by 2 dB lower than for method new,03, since the value
of the shifted weighting curve at 500 Hz is by 2 dB lower. The different value
of the single number parameter, however, is not significant, since this differ-
ence occurs for all measuring curves.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 20

2.2.8 Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level L'nT,w according to the hear-
ing threshold

The hearing threshold was defined in DIN EN ISO 389-7 [35] and describes
the „sound pressure level, at which a person correctly gives perception of a
presented signal in half of the causes under certain conditions and after sev-
eral repetitions“. Therefore, the hearing threshold gives the limit of human
hearing. The idea to use the hearing threshold as weighting curve is based
on the consideration that any exceeding of the hearing threshold can cause
annoyance for the person affected. A certain acceptable exceeding is in-
cluded in the sum of 32 dB, as in the ISO 717 rating method. The hearing
threshold is thoroughly safeguarded and standardized for the total relevant
frequency range from 20 to 5000 Hz. The question, however, is whether the
application of the hearing threshold for noise of the tapping machine is suited
to assess noise from impact sound. This question is answered by the eval-
uation of chapter 5.

Fig. 8: weighting curve of hearing threshold according to DIN EN ISO

389-7 [35] and measured values of the standard tapping machine
on the timber floor in test facility P8 of IBP.

The inclination of the weighting curve is very steep in the low frequency
range and reaches the lowest point at approx. 4000 Hz before increasing to
higher frequencies. The total frequency range from 20 Hz to 5000 Hz is tak-
en into consideration for rating. Here again, the sum of the unfavorable devi-
ations (exceeding values) of the measuring curve in comparison to the
weighting curve smaller than 32 dB is used. Figure 8 shows that rating for

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 21

 this measurement is decisive in the average frequency range between 200
and 1000 Hz, caused by the shape of the measurement curve and the fact
that the weighting curve steeply increases at low frequencies.

2.2.9 Weighted impact sound pressure level according to JIS A 1419-2

The standard to rate impact sound reduction in Japan is JIS A 1419-2 [29].
Various rating methods are described there for the standardized tapping ma-
chine and the Japanese rubber ball. The first method complies with DIN EN
ISO 717-2. Three additional methods are also described which can also be
used to determine impact sound insulation. In contrast to DIN EN ISO 717-2,
octave levels are considered in these other methods.

Conversion from on-third octave to octave levels L’n,1/1 is calculated as fol-

lows:

, / ,
L′ , / 10log 10 dB (7)

L’n,1/3,i: impact sound pressure level of one-third octaves in the related

octave band

A correction of the reverberation time is not applied for the additional rating
methods in JIS A 1419-2. These methods are described in the following.

2.2.10 JIS A 1419-2 method 2: weighted impact sound pressure level L'i,r

This rating method is based on a family of reference curves comprising the

frequency range from 63 to 2000 Hz. The individual octave band levels of
the reference curves are listed in tables in the standard. The distance of the
individual curves is 5 dB. The reference curves incline to low frequencies
continuously and have the same gradient. The reference curves are shown
in Figure 9.

The octave band values, which are calculated by means of equation 7 from
the measured one-third octave values, are entered in the diagram of the ref-
erence family of curves. The highest curve of the reference curves is taken
as weighting curve, which is exceeded by a maximum of one octave band
level by not more than 2 dB. If one octave level exceeds the reference curve
by more than 2 dB or several octave levels exceed the reference curve, the
next higher curve will be used for rating. The single number parameter is de-
termined by the value of the reference curve used at 500 Hz. The result is
whole-number single number values in steps of 5 dB. The reference family of
curves and the measuring curve of the timber floor is shown in Figure 9.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 22

 Fig. 9: family of curves of rating method JIS A 1419-2 method 2 and
measured values of standard tapping machine on the timber floor
in test facility P8 of IBP.

2.2.11 JIS A 1419-2 method 3: weighted impact sound pressure level L'i,A

To determine the single number value of the weighted impact sound pres-
sure level Li,A each level of the different microphones is A-weighted and en-
ergetically added up over the frequency range from 20 to 5000 Hz:

, ,
L′ , , 10log 10 dB (8)

With:

L’i,A,i: A-weighted measured impact sound pressure level in the one-third oc-
tave band i

k: number of frequency bands

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 23

 The derived single number values of the impact sound pressure level L´í,A,e
are summarized by arithmetic averaging of the microphone positions to the
value:

L′ , L′ , , , dB (9)

L’i,A,e,i: energetically averaged impact sound pressure level for each micro-
phone position i

n: number of microphone positions

2.2.12 JIS A 1419-2 method 4: weighted impact sound pressure level L'i,AW

In method 4 of JIS A 1419-2 the reference curve method is used, which is

similar to that described in DIN EN ISO 717-2. A reference curve is defined,
which must be shifted. Specifications for the reference curve and for the
measured values are based on octave band levels. The reference curve
rates the octave band levels in the frequency range from 125 to 2000 Hz for
the standard tapping machine. The curve declines to higher frequencies. The
reference curve is shifted in 1 dB steps until the sum of exceeding octave
band values reaches a maximum but is smaller than 10 dB. The impact
sound pressure level L'i,A,w which is assessed from this is determined by the
value of the shifted reference curve at 500 Hz. The shifted reference curve
and the measured values of the timber floor in octaves are given in Figure
10.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 24

 Fig. 10: shifted reference curve of the rating method JIS A 1419-2 meth-
od 4 and measured values of the standard tapping machine on
the timber floor in test facility P8 of IBP.

2.2.13 A-weighted standardized sum of impact sound levels L'nT,A,sum

The sensitivity of human hearing with regard to the perceived levels of loud-
ness of the noise is frequency-dependent. Sounds of similar sound pressure
are perceived as being more silent at low frequencies than at high frequen-
cies. The A-weighting considers this characteristic for sounds with low sound
pressure levels. There are also other weighting curves, for example B-, C-
and D-weighting, which are valid for higher loudness levels. The A-weighting
is generally mostly used and is even partially applied for loud noises, where
other weighting curves would be more appropriate. The weighting curves
can be realized by filters or can be added on the one-third octave or octave
band spectra. The tabulated values of the A-weighting are given in DIN EN
61672-1.

The standardized sum of the impact sound pressure level L'nT,A,sum is

achieved by the energetic addition of the A-weighted one-third octave values
in the defined frequency range:

, ,
L′ , , 10log 10 dB (10)

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 25

 L’nT,A,i: A-weighted standardized impact sound pressure level for one-third
octave band i

k: number of frequency bands

Since primarily the low frequencies are decisive for the noise and annoyance
of impact sound and the essential sound transmission takes place in the fre-
quency range below 2500 Hz in the measurements performed, the frequency
range from 50 to 2500 Hz was considered for the first single number value.
Another single number value was added in the extended frequency range
from 20 to 2500 Hz, since A-levels for timber floors can be decisive even at
frequencies below 50 Hz for the sum of the A-weighted third octave band
values. Since these very low frequencies can be perceived as very annoy-
ing, it was expected that the sum of the A-weighted third octave band values
with an extended frequency range could result in a better correlation to the
subjective rating. The frequency range used is marked by denominating the
frequency range in the index of the single number value. Results for the cor-
relation analysis are given in of chapter 5.

2.2.14 Rating method according to AkuLite CI,AkuLite,20-2500

The Swedish research project AkuLite [27, 28], designed as previous project
of the AcuWood project also investigated the correlation of objective and
subjective ratings of impact sound. This investigation, however, was carried
out in Sweden, and the subjective assessment was based on paper ques-
tionnaires filled out and returned by the residents, the results were correlated
to the measured values of the same buildings. A technical rating method was
proposed as a result of the analysis in this project, which better correlated
with the subjective assessment in the AkuLite project. Consequently, this rat-
ing method was also used in the AcuWood project.

The rating according to AkuLite is based on the method according to DIN EN

ISO 717 by integrating the spectrum adaptation term CI. The calculation of CI
is carried out according to DIN EN ISO 717 by

C L′ , 15 L′ , . (5)

The rating by CI was extended to the frequency range from 20 to 2500 Hz in

the AkuLite project:

C, L′ , , 15 L′ , (11)

Equation (11) can be converted by consideration of equation (4) in

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 26

 ,
C, 10log 10 L′ , (12)

with

k: 22 for all one-third octave bands from 20 to 2500 Hz

In a second step, the constant of 15 dB, which is subtracted in calculating

the sum (eq. 11), is modified for the one-third octave bands used. Hereby, a
frequency-dependent component is introduced in the summation, which
takes into consideration the subjective assessment. Thus the rating pro-
posed in the AkuLite project is given by:

,
C, , 10log 10 L′ , (13)

The weighting function WI is represented in Table 1.

Table 1: Frequency weighting of rating method CI,AkuLite,20-2500.

Frequenz WI
20 ‐7.0
25 ‐9.0
31.5 ‐11.0
40 ‐13.0
50 ‐15.0
63 ‐15.0
80 ‐15.0
100 ‐15.0
125 ‐15.0
160 ‐15.0
200 ‐15.0
250 ‐15.0
315 ‐15.0
400 ‐15.0
500 ‐14.0
630 ‐13.0
800 ‐12.0
1000 ‐11.0
1250 ‐10.0
1600 ‐9.0
2000 ‐8.0
2500 ‐7.0

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 27

 The weighting function of AkuLite shows that the low frequencies as well as
the high frequencies are stronger weighted by a lower subtrahend. The
stronger weighting at high frequencies is aimed at potential excitation by liv-
ing noise, for example the dropping of hard objects etc. The stronger
weighting at low frequencies, however, takes into consideration the higher
annoyance effect of walking noise in this frequency range. More detailed in-
formation on the weighting method can be found in [28].

2.2.15 Rating method according to AkuLite CI,AkuLite,20-2500,Sweden

Another variation of the AkuLite rating was also investigated in the AcuWood
project. It is given in the Swedish regulation (Swedish standard SS 25267),
where the calculatory room volume is limited to 31 m³, meaning that for all
rooms with lower volume than 31 m³ L´n,w is used, for all rooms above a vol-
ume of 31 m³ L´nT,w is applied. (At a room volume of 31 m³ L´n,w and L´nT,w
are equal).

2.3 Rating method for the modified tapping machine

The modified tapping machine was proposed by Scholl [36] as excitation

source adapted to walking noise. It is based on using the standard tapping
machine equipped by an additional resilient interlayer between the hammers
of the tapping machine and the floor to be measured. In the process, the im-
pedance of the tapping machine for the floor is modified in a way that it is
similar to the impedance of the human foot. No rating methods are available
for the modified tapping machine. The rating method of ISO 717-2 can prob-
ably be applied to the impact sound pressure levels measured by the modi-
fied tapping machine. Since the weighting curve used, however, was not de-
veloped for this source this method does not seem to be reasonable. There-
fore, the sum of the A-weighted third octave band values was used as single
number parameter in the AcuWood project.

2.3.1 A-weighted standardized sum impact sound levels L'nT,A,sum

The modified tapping machine is designed as technical substitute source of

walking noise due to its construction. Thus it is obvious to characterize it by
the standardized sum of impact sound levels as single number parameter.
This rating method is described in chapter 2.2.13 and calculated according
to equation (10).

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 28

2.4 Rating method for the Japanese rubber ball

The Japanese rubber ball was developed by Tachibana in Japan [30]. Exci-
tation is performed by dropping the ball from a height of 1 m on the floor to
be measured. In Asia, the Japanese rubber ball is used as impact sound
source, therefore rating methods had been developed in Japan. These rating
methods are generally described in JIS A 1419-2 [29]. The rating methods
are applied for the standard tapping machine as well as for the Japanese
rubber ball. Since the frequency ranges applied are partially different, the
methods for the rubber ball are explained in the following. The significant dif-
ference between the rubber ball and the standard tapping machine is that
the rubber ball generates an impulse-like excitation, the standard tapping
machine, howevergenerates a quasi-constant sound. Therefore, the maxi-
mum spectrum Li,Fmax of the ball is generally considered by fast weighting
(=125 ms) in the rating of the Japanese rubber ball. A reverberation correc-
tion of the measured levels is not applied in JIS A 1419-2 for the rubber ball.

2.4.1 JIS A 1419-2 method 1: rating according to DIN EN ISO 717-2

The rating method 1 of JIS A 1419-2 complies with the rating according to
DIN EN ISO 717-2. It was developed for the standard tapping machine and
therefore it was not applied for the Japanese rubber ball.

2.4.2 JIS A 1419-2 method 2: weighted impact sound pressure level L'i,Fmax,r

Method 2 of JIS A 1419-2 can be transferred to the rubber ball. The refer-
ence family of curves for the rubber ball is the same as for the standard tap-
ping machine and the regulations to determine the single number value are
identical. Figure 11 shows the reference curves and measured values of the
Japanese rubber ball on the timber floor.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 29

 Fig. 11: reference family of curves of rating method JIS A 1419-2 method
2 and measured values of the Japanese rubber ball on the timber
floor in test facility P8 of IBP.

2.4.3 JIS A 1419-2 method 3: weighted impact sound pressure level L'i,A,Fmax

Already described in chapter 2.2.11, method 3 of JIS A 1419-2 is also valid

for the rubber ball with its maximum levels Li,Fmax , which must be A-weighted
for this method.

The single number value is energetically added over the frequency range
from 20 to 5000 Hz:

, , ,
L′ , , , 10log 10 dB (11)

with

L’i,A,Fmax,i: A-weighted measured impact sound maximum level in the one-third

octave band i

k: number of frequency bands

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 30

 The derived single number values of the impact sound level L´í,A,Fmax,e are
summarized by arithmetic averaging of the microphone positions to a value
of:

L′ , , L′ , , , , dB (12)

L’i,A,Fmax,e,i: (over several excitations) energetically averaged impact sound

level for each microphone position i

n: number of microphone positions

2.4.4 JIS A 1419-2 method 4: weighted impact sound pressure level L'i,Fmax,AW

The reference curve method 4 for the Japanese rubber ball is the same as
described in chapter 2.2.12. It is, however, applied to the measured maxi-
mum level Li,Fmax for the rubber ball. Another difference is that the weighting
curve for the octaves 63 to 500 Hz is defined and that the maximum exceed-
ing of the weighting curve must not exceed 8 dB. The shifted reference curve
and the measured values of the Japanese rubber ball on the timber floor in
octaves are represented in Figure 12.

Fig. 12: shifted reference curve of rating method JIS A 1419-2 method 4
and measured values of the Japanese rubber ball on the timber
floor in test facility P8 of IBP.

The single number value of this method is again the value of the shifted
weighting curve at 500 Hz.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 31

2.4.5 KS F 2863-2 method 1: weighted impact sound pressure level L'i,Fmax,AW,H

The method of the Korean standard KS F 2863-2 [37] to rate the Japanese
rubber ball complies with method 4 of JIS A 1419-2 [29] described in chapter
2.4.4.

2.4.6 KS F 2863-2 method 2: weighted impact sound pressure level L'i,avg,Fmax,(63-500Hz)

The rating is performed by arithmetic averaging of the measured maximum

octave levels in the frequency range from 63 to 500 Hz. The measured lev-
els have no reverberation time correction and are not A-weighted.

The arithmetic averaging is performed as follows:

L′ , , , L′ , dB (13)

with:

L’i,Fmax: energetically averaged maximum impact sound level for each oc-
tave band i

k: number of octave bands

2.4.7 A-weighted standardized maximum sum level L'nT,A,F,max,sum

The Japanese rubber ball is also designed as a substitute source for walking
noise. In contrast to the modified tapping machine the excitation is impulse-
like. Therefore, the maximum spectrum Li,Fmax of the ball is generally consid-
ered with fast weighting (=125 ms) for the rating of the Japanese rubber
ball. The standardized maximum sum level is calculated from it as single
number value. This rating method is described in chapter 2.2.13 and calcu-
lated according to equation (10).

3 Results: Correlation of subjective and objective parameters

The significant results of the project are explained in the following two chap-
ters. In this context, the correlation of the subjective and objective rating rep-
resents the main method to assess the technical impact sound sources, the
rating methods and the basis to give requirement values for the rating meth-
ods. The questionnaires of residents of timber constructions serves to verify

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 32

 the subjective ratings determined by laboratory listening tests, and thus to
verify the results of the project. The results of the questionnaires of the resi-
dents are described in chapter 4.

3.1 Representative impact sound source

The noise produced by the standard tapping machine for impact sound
measurements is clearly different from the noise of impact sound from real
footsteps. The standard tapping machine produces a different excitation
spectrum to walking as well as to other living noises. Therefore, the standard
tapping machine represents real living noise rather poor. This different exci-
tation spectrum is only partially compensated by the rating method of ISO
717. With the modified tapping machine and the Japanese rubber ball further
technical sources are investigated in the AcuWood project, which were spe-
cifically developed with regard to walking noise caused by footsteps. The
three technical sources were investigated with regard to representing living
noise.

The most important impact sound source regarding the annoyance in apart-
ment buildings is walking noise. Thus, real walkers were employed in the
AcuWood project, and the sound pressure levels of their footsteps was rec-
orded or measured in the receiving room. The laboratory measurements re-
fer to a male walker with shoes and a male walker wearing socks as well as
a female walker wearing shoes. Due the conditions of the measurements in
buildings the sound level of only one male walker with shoes and with socks
was measured. The walkers in the laboratory were different male and female
persons, who produced relatively similar excitation while walking. For the
measurements in the buildings, always the same person was employed as
walker always using the same shoes. In a preliminary study for walking de-
scribed in [38] a greater number of walkers was investigated as impact
sound sources. Therefore, the male walker employed in the AcuWood pro-
ject can be characterized to give an average excitation spectrum. A detailed
description of the walkers can be found in [14]. The subjective annoyances
of the different walkers determined by the listening test were arithmetically
averaged for the same floor to obtain a subjective annoyance value for each
floor.

The moving of a chair was investigated as a further living noise. Generally,

this living noise is relatively loud and can be very well reproduced by using
the same chair. The selection of the chair and the method of moving the
chairs are described in [14]. In evaluating the results of the moving of the
chair it must be mentioned that the noise of the moving of the chair is not
representative for all kinds of chairs, but specifically valid only for this type of
chairs. This is also true for the results of the listening test.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 33

3.1.1 Representative impact sound source for walking (footstep noise)

An essential question in the AcuWood project was, how representative the

technical impact sound sources are for the real footstep noise. The subjec-
tive annoyance of the noise assessed in the listening test served as the crite-
rion. The reason is that the subjective annoyance of the noise is suggested
to be the cause of complaints on noise due to impact sound. The subjective
loudness of noises was also investigated in the listening test. The correlation
of subjective loudness and subjective annoyance was very high for all inves-
tigated sources. The determination coefficient R² was at 0.99 for footstep
noise, at 0.97 for noise from moving chairs, and at 0.98 for the Japanese
rubber ball. Thus is can be assumed that primarily loudness determines the
annoying effect of the investigated noises.

By comparing the subjective annoyance of the technical source and the sub-
jective annoyance of the real source, a linear regression analysis was car-
ried out for all measured floors. The various floor constructions in the figures
have different colors and are differently marked. The various measuring
points result from laboratory measurements of different floor coverings, see
also [14]. By the measurements in the buildings, different floor constructions
were analyzed [14, 15]. The analysis of data was based on a linear correla-
tion. The determination coefficient R² of the linear regression was deter-
mined as the most important criterion for good agreement of the linear corre-
lation. Figure 13 shows the comparison of subjective annoyances of the
standard tapping machine and walking on various floors.

Fig. 13: comparison of the subjective annoyance of standard tapping ma-

chine and the subjective annoyance of walking.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 34

 The comparison of the subjective annoyance of the standard tapping ma-
chine and the subjective annoyance of the walking is given in Figure 13,
showing the total shift of the values to a high annoyance of the standard
tapping machine. This was to be expected, since the standard tapping ma-
chine is clearly louder than the footstep noise. It is evident, however, that
similar subjective annoyances occur for the different floor constructions, for
example the massive floor and the timber floor from measurements in build-
ings in Switzerland (measurements in buildings CH) produced by walkers.
The annoyance of the standard tapping machine, however, occurs systemat-
ically different for the two types of floors and with clearly greater scattering. It
must be noted that the reproducibility itself of the standard tapping machine
is higher than that of the walkers (As already previously mentioned, the sub-
jective annoyances of walking are mean values of different walkers).

The values of the laboratory measurement of the timber floor with suspend-
ed ceiling show a similar behavior. In this case, 4 floors show almost the
same subjective annoyance of walking (the exception is the measurement
with carpet with a subjective annoyance of walking of 3), the subjective an-
noyance of the standard tapping machine, however, shows a scattering of
values from 6 to 8.

It must be mentioned that the measurements on floors with carpet are also
included in the comparison. In general, all coverings should be included in
the analysis. This was generally obeyed in this project. The application of the
standard tapping machine on carpeted floors, however, results in a modifica-
tion of the excitation source, since the standardized drop height of the ham-
mers is not achieved, especially for deep-pile carpets. Thus, the drop height
and the excitation are altered for the tapping machine on carpet. Similarly,
the application of the modified tapping machine on carpeted floors leads to a
different excitation then intended. .

Therefore, Figure 13 shows the measurements on carpet, which are marked

by circles around the measured values. It is obvious that the floor with carpet
clearly reduces the subjective annoyance of the standard tapping machine,
the annoyance due to walking, however, is almost without any influence by
the carpet.

The essential statement of the comparison in Figure 13 , however, can be

derived from the determination coefficient R² of the linear regression. This
value is R²=0.23, meaning that the subjective annoyance of walking can only
be insufficiently explained by the subjective annoyance of the standard tap-
ping machine for the investigated floors. The correlation of the two parame-
ters is very low. This is certainly due to the clearly different spectra of the
sources, resulting in the insufficient correlation on the different floor con-
structions with various frequency-dependent characteristics. Therefore the
standard tapping machine represents walking noise insufficiently.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 35

 The subjective annoyance of the modified tapping machine is compared to
the subjective annoyance of walking in Figure 14 .

Fig. 14: comparison of the subjective annoyance of the modified tapping

machine and the subjective annoyance of walking.

The comparison in Figure 14 shows that the correlation of the two parame-
ters is clearly better for the modified tapping machine. Not only the values for
the floors with carpets are closer to the linear regression, but also the scat-
tering of the subjective annoyances on the same floors become more ho-
mogenous and show less scattering. All in all, the shifting of the measured
values and thus the shifting of the linear regression toward higher values is
clearly reduced, the modified tapping machine is perceived to be only slightly
more annoying (and louder) than the footstep noise. The better correlation of
the values is documented by a clearly higher determination coefficient of
R²=0.71. Therefore, the modified tapping machine represents footstep noise
obviously better than the standard tapping machine.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 36

 The subjective annoyance of the Japanese rubber ball is compared to the
subjective annoyance of walking in Figure 15.

Fig. 15: comparison of the subjective annoyance of the Japanese rubber

ball and the subjective annoyance of walking.

Again, there is a shift towards higher values in the comparison of the subjec-
tive annoyance of the Japanese rubber ball with the subjective annoyance of
walking. The reason is certainly that the ball is clearly louder than walking.
The scattering of the measured values, however, is clearly lower so that a
determination coefficient R²=0.80 is achieved here. Thus, the Japanese rub-
ber ball represents best of all three technical excitation sources the walking
noise with regard to the subjective annoyance.

3.1.2 Representative impact sound source for the moving of chairs

As in case of walking noise the three technical sources could also be used
for the investigation of the moving of chairs with regard to the correlation of
the subjective annoyance. The comparison of subjective annoyance is rep-
resented in Figure 16 for the standard tapping machine.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 37

 Fig. 16: comparison of the subjective annoyance of the standard tapping
machine and the subjective annoyance of the moving of the
chair.

As in case of the walking noise the subjective annoyance of the standard

tapping machine is clearly higher in case of the moving of the chair. The
scattering of the measured values, however, is lower, what can be ascribed
to the fact that the measurements of the moving of the chair was frequently
repeated and that the same source was used for all floors (For the walking
mean values of various walkers were used so that part of the scattering can
be explained by the different sources on different floors). If the individual
floor types are considered, for example the massive floor, the scattering of
the subjective annoyance of the standard tapping machine was clearly high-
er than the subjective annoyance of the moving of the chair. The lowest val-
ue of the subjective annoyance of the moving of the chair was achieved by
the carpeted floor. The low value can be explained by the fact that the exci-
tation of the chair is clearly modified on a carpeted floor. This is more obvi-
ous than in case of the standard tapping machine. The stick-slip effect of the
moving of the chair across the floor is almost eliminated on carpeted floors
so that the excitation of the source is strongly modified. Therefore, no meas-
urements on carpeted floors were carried out in buildings. This is why the
measured values on carpeted floors were excluded in the linear regression
analysis in Figure 16. The determination coefficient R² achieves a value of
0.53 in Figure 16. It can be concluded that the standard tapping machine
better represents the noise of moving of the chair than the walking noise.

The comparison of the subjective annoyance of the modified tapping ma-

chine and the moving of the chair is represented in Figure 17.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 38

 Fig. 17: comparison of the subjective annoyance of the modified tapping
machine and the subjective annoyance of the moving of the
chair.

The comparison in Figure 17 shows that the moving of the chair is perceived
as being more annoying, since the values are shifted to higher annoyances.
The three discrepant values by the laboratory measurement on carpeted
floors are clearly visible and were not taken into account in the linear regres-
sion. With R² = 0.76 the modified tapping machine represents the moving of
the chair better than the standard tapping machine.

Figure 18 shows the comparison of the subjective annoyance of the Japa-

nese rubber ball with the subjective annoyance of the moving of chairs.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 39

 Fig. 18: comparison of the subjective annoyance of the Japanese rubber
ball and the subjective annoyance of the moving of chairs

The measured values of the carpeted floors, which appear as three discrep-
ant values in Figure 18 were not taken into consideration for the regression
analysis. The subjective annoyance of the rubber ball is perceived to be
higher than the subjective annoyance of the moving of the chair. Especially
for the measured values on the timber floor with suspended ceiling, higher
deviations of the measured values from the regression line occur. The rea-
son is that this floor transmits low and very low frequencies below 50 Hz due
to the suspended ceiling tuned to very low frequencies. The Japanese rub-
ber ball can excite these frequencies, the moving of chairs however is a ra-
ther high frequency source. Moreover, a higher deviation from the regression
straight line can be observed in the measurements in Switzerland. The
cause of this could not be clarified. All in all, a value of R² = 0.72 is achieved,
which is slightly lower than in case of the modified tapping machine.

It can be concluded that the standard tapping machine is the most insuffi-
cient technical source of the three investigated sources to represent living
noises such as walking and the moving of the chair. The two sources which
were developed for walking noise, the modified tapping machine and the
Japanese rubber ball, achieve clearly better results in the analysis and rep-
resent the investigated living noises better. The Japanese rubber ball
achieves a higher determination coefficient R² in case of the walking noise,
whereas the modified tapping machine has a higher determination coefficient
R² in case of the moving of the chair.

The question which of the two sources developed for walking noise is advan-
tageous with regard to the subjective annoyance cannot be answered imme-

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 40

 diately. The investigation in the AcuWood project, however, shows two es-
sential advantages of the Japanese rubber ball.

The Japanese rubber ball has a much louder excitation, resulting in higher
annoyance values in the previously described analyses. The decisive ad-
vantage for the practical use of the Japanese rubber ball is the higher signal-
to-noise ratio. This is most evident in the measurements in buildings carried
out in the AcuWood project. It can be said from experience that only the ball
is suited for „usual“ measurements in buildings, the modified tapping ma-
chine, however, is too silent for usual ambient noise during the measure-
ments.

The second essential argument for the Japanese rubber ball is that it can be
used on all floor coverings including carpeted floors. The low efficiency of
carpeted floors for walking noise is adequately reproduced by the Japanese
rubber ball. Measurements by the modified tapping machine, however, seem
to be less useful and less practicable, since the low excitation is additionally
reduced in this case.

3.2 Optimized rating method

Besides the application of the excitation source the rating method is also of
significant importance. Only a rating method can achieve a single number
value from a measured frequency spectrum, expected to make a statement
on the impact sound insulation or impact sound transmission. Therefore, dif-
ferent rating methods were used for the technical excitation sources applied.
The derived single number values are compared with the subjective annoy-
ances of the real living noises (walking noise and noise caused by the mov-
ing of the chair). By correlation, it can be determined which rating method (of
the excitation source used) can be in good agreement to the subjective as-
sessment of living noises. The rating methods used are described in chapter
2.

A new rating method, based on the measured data of the AcuWood project
was not developed. A variety of suggested rating methods is available for the
standard tapping machine, based partly on the analysis of the subjective as-
sessments [25, 26, and 28]. It did not seem to be useful to develop a rating
method optimized for the data set of the project, which would achieve an es-
pecially high correlation in the application of the data, but is probably less
suitable for other data. For a new suggestion, the data base seemed to be
too small. Other promising ideas, however, were tested besides rating meth-
ods suggested in the literature. Single number values, which were obvious
and seemed to be simple from the acoustical point of view, were generated
for the Japanese rubber ball and the modified tapping machine.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 41

3.2.1 Rating method for the standard tapping machine

The majority of the suggested methods in the literature is aiming for the
standard tapping machine, described in chapter 2. Therefore, only the most
relevant correlation analyses between single number value and the subjec-
tive annoyance are described here.

The most relevant rating method for the standard tapping machine is the
normalized impact sound pressure level L´n,w used in standardization at pre-
sent. It was calculated for the measurements in this project and compared
with the subjective annoyance of walking as shown in Figure 19.

Fig. 19: comparison of the measured normalized impact sound pressure

level L´n,w and the subjective annoyance of walking.

The representation and regression in Figure 19 includes the measurements

on carpeted floor. In the cases of timber floors with and without suspended
ceiling and massive floors the carpeted floors gave the lowest normalized
impact sound pressure levels. In the case of the measurements in buildings
in Germany (measurement in buildings D) again these are the two data
points with the lowest L´n,w values. In case of the measurements in Switzer-
land (measurement in buildings CH) no floor was covered by carpet. Since in
all cases the floors were equipped by floating screed, the measured values
on carpeted floor are not extremely lower than those of other floor coverings
of the same floors in the laboratory. It is noticeable that the normalized im-
pact sound pressure levels are clearly different in case of similar subjective
annoyance of walking, for example in measurements of the massive floor
and in the measurements in Switzerland. The average difference amounts to
almost 10 dB. With the exception of two floors in Switzerland, all other Swiss

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 42

 floors are clearly worse assessed by the normalized impact sound pressure
level with similar subjective annoyance of the noise. Consequently, the coef-
ficient of determination of the regression R² = 0.41 was relatively low.

The result is of the correlation analysis is quite similar, if instead of the nor-
malized impact sound pressure level the standardized impact sound pres-
sure level is considered. It is recommended as assessment criterion in the
current VDI 4100 [33] and was already proposed as assessment criterion in
the drafts of the new DIN 4109. Figure 20 shows the comparison of the
standardized impact sound pressure level L´nT,w with the subjective annoy-
ance of walking.

Fig. 20: comparison of the measured standardized impact sound pres-

sure level L´nT,w and the subjective annoyance of walking.

Again the measured values for the same subjective annoyance of walking
are high. Again, most timber floors achieve a higher single number value in
comparison to the massive floor, at similar subjective annoyance. The value
R² = 0.38 is still slightly lower than for L´n,w.

If the spectrum adaptation term CI,50-2500 is added to L´nT,w , the following cor-
relation occurs between single number value and subjective annoyance,
shown in Figure 21.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 43

 Fig. 21: comparison of the measured standardized impact sound pres-
sure level L´nT,w +CI,50-2500 and the subjective annoyance of walk-
ing.

The application of L´nT,w +CI,50-2500 achieves a clearly better correlation of the

single number value with the subjective annoyance. Especially the measured
values at low subjective annoyance of the measurements in buildings in
Switzerland and the laboratory measurements on the massive floor ap-
proach each other, so that they have similar single number values at similar
subjective annoyance ratings. Nevertheless, the more precise consideration
shows that especially the measurements in buildings in Germany in single-
family houses in timber construction tend to be higher than the regression
line.All values for the timber floor with suspended ceiling are lower than the
regression line. This can be explained by the suspended ceiling, which is
tuned to low frequencies in the laboratory. If the spectra of these measure-
ments are taken into consideration, the loudest one-third octaves of the
standardized impact sound pressure level were lower than 50 Hz. These fre-
quencies are not considered in the single number value but perceived, thus
causing higher subjective annoyance. The determination coefficient of the
correlation analysis in figure 21 is R² = 0.58, and that is a clear enhancement
in comparison to L´n,w and L´nT,w. Insofar, the investigation clearly supports
experts to extend the weighting frequency range towards low frequencies.

All rating methods described in chapter 2 were applied for the standard tap-
ping machine and a linear correlation to the subjective annoyance of walking
was carried out. The correlation analysis results are listed in Table 2.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 44

 Table 2: Determination coefficient R² of the linear regression of different
rating methods of the standard tapping machine and the subjec-
tive annoyance for walking noise.

The values presented in Table 2 demonstrate which rating method of the

standard tapping machine achieves a good correlation between the single
number value and the subjective annoyance rating. The highest value for R²
is achieved by the rating according to Hagberg, new,03, with R² = 0.63. This
method covers the frequencies from 50 Hz to 3150 Hz and includes a very
high increase of rating from 100 Hz towards 50 Hz, see chapter 2.2.7. The
comparison of the single number value according to Hagberg 03 and the
subjective annoyance of walking are shown in Figure 22.

Fig. 22: comparison of the single number value L´nT,Hagberg,new,03 and the
subjective annoyance of walking.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 45

 For the same subjective annoyance, the single number values are very simi-
lar for the rating according to Hagberg, new,03. Therefore, R² = 0.63 is
slightly higher than for L´nT,w +CI,50-2500 . However, it is still evident that the
single number values for the timber floor with suspended ceiling are still be-
low the regression line, showing that rating from 50 Hz upward is insufficient
for this floor structure, which has the highest A-weighted impact sound level
for walking noise below 50 Hz. In this case, a rating involving the frequencies
below 50 Hz would be more favorable.

The value for Hagberg, new,04 shown in Table 2 is only slightly lower than
for Hagberg,new,03. The difference occurs due to the modification of rating
at high frequencies, and is only relevant for the measurements in Germany.
The different rating at high frequencies cannot be interpreted here. There-
fore, both methods are taken as equivalent within the framework of the
AcuWood project.

The rating methods according to Bodlund, Fasold and AkuLite have values
of R² between 0.58 and 0.56. They and are relatively similar and within the
range of L´nT,w +CI,50-2500 , whereby only the methods according to AkuLite
assess the very low frequencies from 20 Hz upwards. All other rating meth-
ods, particularly the Japanese standard JIS A 1419-2 provide very low val-
ues of the regression analysis. The reason is that the rating methods pro-
posed in the Japanese standard were probably developed for the Japanese
rubber ball, but are also being applied on the standard tapping machine.

The rating by the sum level L´nT,A,20-2500 and L´nT,A,50-2500 was also very low for
both frequency ranges, with R² = 0.36. This was to be expected, since the
spectrum of the standard tapping machine is very different to the spectrum of
the walkers and thus the standard tapping machine is less suitable as repre-
sentative source for walking noise. These low values confirm the statements
of chapter 3.1.1.

It can be concluded that the method according to Hagberg achieves the best
correlation, the standardized impact sound pressure level with spectrum ad-
aptation term L´nT,w+CI,50-2500, however, is equal to the other better rating
methods and the currently suggested method of AkuLite. The normalized
impact sound pressure level L´n,w+CI,50-2500 achieves a slightly higher value
for R², based on the available data and compared to the AkuLite rating
method. L´n,w+CI,50-2500 is useful, since it has already been introduced interna-
tionally by ISO 717-2 for a long time, and is used as basis for requirement
values in some European countries in the meantime.

3.2.2 Rating method for the modified tapping machine

This report suggests the standardized sum of the impact sound pressure
level L´nT,A,sum as single number value for the modified tapping machine. Two

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 46

 frequency ranges from 50 to 2500 Hz and from 20 to 2500 Hz are consid-
ered. The comparison of the sum of the impact sound pressure level L´nT,A,50-
2500 of the modified tapping machine with the subjective annoyance of the
walking is shown in Figure 23.

Fig. 23: comparison of the single number value L´nT,A,50-2500 of the modi-
fied tapping machine and the subjective annoyance of walking.

Figure 24 shows the comparison of the sum of the impact sound pressure
level L´nT,A,20-2500 of the modified tapping machine and the subjective annoy-
ance of walking.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 47

 Fig. 24: comparison of the single number L´nT,A,20-2500 of the modified tap-
ping machine and the subjective annoyance of walking.

In case of the modified tapping machine, which is very similar in spectrum

and in the sound pressure level to the walkers, the sum level L´nT,A,20-2500 bet-
ter correlates with the subjective annoyance of walking than the sum level
L´nT,A,50-2500. The determination coefficient R² amounts to a value of 0.83 in
comparison to 0.77. The difference of the single number value for floors with
the same subjective annoyance of the walking noise is relatively low. con-
sidering the single number values of the timber floor with suspended ceiling
the single number values are better positioned on the regression straight line
for L´nT,A,20-2500. Therefore, it is favorable to consider the frequencies below
50 Hz for floors with suspended ceilings tuned to very low frequencies.

3.2.3 Rating method for the Japanese rubber ball

The Japanese standard JIS A 1419-2 gives rating methods for the Japanese
rubber ball. The Korean standard KS F 2863-2 also suggests two rating
methods. Method 1 of KS F 2863-2 corresponds to method 4 of JIS A 1419-
2. In addition, this paper suggests the A-weighted maximum sum level as
single number value.

The best correlation of the Japanese and Korean rating methods was
achieved by rating Li,A,Fmax, method 3 of JIS A 1419-2, chapter 2.4.3. The
comparison of the rating with the subjective annoyance of walking noise is
represented in Figure 25.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 48

 Fig. 25: comparison of the single number value Li,A,Fmax (JIS 1419-2) of
the Japanese rubber ball and the subjective annoyance of walk-
ing.

The correlation of both parameters is relatively high for the Japanese rubber
ball, but does not achieve the values of the modified tapping machine with a
determination coefficient R² von 0.69. The best rating method for the Japa-
nese rubber ball is the standardized maximum sum level L´nT,A,F,max,20-2500
which is compared in Figure 26 with the subjective annoyance of walking
noise.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 49

 Fig. 26: comparison of the single number value of the standardized max-
imum sum level L´nT,A,F,max,20-2500 of the Japanese rubber ball and
the subjective annoyance of walking noise.

The best correlation with the subjective annoyance of walking noise with
R²=0.75 for the Japanese rubber ball is achieved by the A-weighted stand-
ardized maximum sum level L´nT,A,F,max,20-2500 according to chapter 2.4.7. This
value is slightly lower than that of the modified tapping machine, but the exci-
tation of the rubber ball is clearly louder, the values of the standardized max-
imum sum level of the ball are approx. 20 dB higher than those of the modi-
fied tapping machine. Therefore, this source is clearly better suited for prac-
tical use to characterize living noise, since it has a clearly better signal-to-
noise ratio (with regard to the background noise in buildings) than the modi-
fied tapping machine.

The determination coefficients R² of the linear correlations of all rating meth-

ods for the Japanese rubber ball in relation to the subjective annoyance of
walking noise are listed in Table 3.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 50

 Table 3: Determination coefficient R² of the linear regression of different
rating methods for the Japanese rubber ball and the subjective
annoyance of walking noise.

The results in Table 3 show that the method of the sum level from 20 to 5000
Hz achieved the highest determination coefficient. Also method, JIS Li,A,Fmax,
which considers the total frequency range with no correction to reverberation
time, is relatively high with R²=0.69. This value can be directly measured by
means of a simple sound level meter.

3.3 Requirement values

Suggestions for requirement values can be deduced from the listening tests
in a further step. Besides the subjective assessment of annoyance on an 11-
stage scale according to ISO/TS 15666, it was also questioned by a yes/no
answer, whether the noise was assessed as annoying. Details can be found
in AcuWood report No. 3 [16]. The answers to this question allow an as-
sessment of the annoyance scale for the investigated noise. The correlation
is very high between the answers on annoyance and the number of persons
annoyed by walking noise and also for the moving of the chair. A similar lin-
ear correlation (with a similar gradient and similar determination coefficient
R²) is determined for walking noise and moving of the chair, so that results
for both kinds of noise are shown together in Figure 27.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 51

 Fig. 27: Comparison of the percentage number of annoyed persons and
the subjective annoyance. The filled marks are data pairs for
walking noise, unfilled marks are data pairs for the moving of the
chair.

The graph in Figure 27 shows a linear correlation between subjective an-

noyance and percentage number of persons annoyed with a determination
coefficient R²=0.90 including both kind of noises. It is interesting to find that
50% of the percentage number of persons annoyed is achieved at a subjec-
tive annoyance rating of 3.6 and not at a mean subjective annoyance of 5,
as probably expected.

With the given data, requirement values can be directly deduced from the
percentage number of persons annoyed. Moreover, given requirement val-
ues as defined in DIN 4109, VDI 4100 or other standards and guidelines can
now be analyzed in regard to the percentage number of persons annoyed.
The direct correlation of requirement values in dB with the number of per-
sons annoyed provides for the first time insight to the significance of the re-
quirement values also for acoustic laymen.

3.3.1 Requirement values for the standard tapping machine

Requirement values as minimum requirement are defined for the normalized

impact sound pressure level according to DIN 4109 [32] with L´n,w=53 dB for
floors of apartments. In the supplementary sheet 2 of DIN 4109 [39] L´n,w=46
dB is suggested as enhanced requirement for floors of apartments.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 52

 The normalized impact sound pressure level compared to the percentage
number of persons annoyed by walking noise is shown in Figure 28.

53

Fig. 28: comparison of the normalized impact sound pressure level L´n,w
of the standard tapping machine and the percentage number of
persons annoyed by walking noise.

The comparison demonstrates a correlation between technical single num-

ber value and subjective rating, which is easy to understand. This correlation
is easier to understand than the correlation of the single number value with
the subjective annoyance, since the scale of the percentage number of per-
sons annoyed by the sound is intuitively understood. Even acoustic laymen
are able to comprehend the importance of acoustic requirement values. In
the field of assessing thermal comfort in buildings, the description by the
percentage of persons dissatisfied has been familiar for a long time by the
PMV-PPD model (predicted mean vote und predicted percentage dissatis-
fied) according to Fanger.

The requirement values of DIN 4109-89 [32] and the suggestion for en-
hanced noise control of DIN 4109 Bbl.2 [39] and the corresponding percent-
age of persons annoyed are given in Table 4. The determination of the per-
centage value of persons annoyed for the minimum requirement of DIN 4109
is shown in Figure 28 graphically.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 53

 Table 4: minimum requirement and suggestion for enhanced noise con-
trol of DIN 4109 and corresponding percentage value of per-
sons annoyed by walking noise.

DIN 4109-89 L´n,w Percentage value of per-

sons annoyed by walk-
ing noise
y = 31,5*x + 40.7;
R² = 0,47

Minimum 53 dB 39%
requirement

Suggestion for 46 dB 17%

enhanced
noise control
supplementary
sheet 2

The comparison for the standardized impact sound pressure level is repre-
sented in Figure 29.

Fig. 29: comparison of the standardized impact sound pressure level

L´nT,w of the standard tapping machine and the percentage of
persons annoyed by walking noise.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 54

 Both linear correlations of the normalized and the standardized impact sound
pressure level and the percentage of persons annoyed show a clear scatter-
ing of the single number values. It is evident that the measurements of the
massive floors in comparison to the floors in Switzerland show clearly lower
single number values, although the percentage of persons annoyed is very
similar. The determination coefficient is similarly low as in the comparison of
the single number values with the subjective annoyance.

Values for the noise control classes I to III are also defined in the latest ver-
sion of VDI 4100 [32] for the standardized impact sound pressure level L´nT,w.
These are represented in Table 5 by the corresponding percentage values of
persons annoyed by walking noise.

Table 5: minimum requirement and suggestion for enhanced noise con-

trol of VDI 4100 and corresponding percentage value of per-
sons annoyed by walking noise

VDI 4100 (2012) L´nT,w Percentage of per-sons

annoyed by walking
noise
y = 31,4*x + 39.2;
R² = 0,46

SST I 51 dB 38%

SST II 44 dB 15%

SST III 37 dB -7%

*negative percentage value calculated from the linear regression in

Figure 29.

As with annoyance ratings, the results for the standardized and the normal-
ized impact sound pressure level with spectrum adaptation term CI,50-2500 are
clearly better. The correlation for the normalized impact sound pressure level
with spectrum adaptation term is represented in Figure 30, and for the
standardized impact sound pressure level L´nT,w+CI,50-2500 the comparison is
given in Figure 31.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 55

 Fig. 30: comparison of normalized impact sound pressure level L´n,w +
CI,50-2500 of the standard tapping machine and the percentage of
persons annoyed by walking noise.

Fig. 31: comparison of the standardized impact sound pressure level

L´nT,w + CI,50-2500 of the standard tapping machine and the per-
centage value of persons annoyed by walking noise,

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 56

 The determination coefficient R² is clearly higher with values of 0.59 and
0.60 for the normalized and the standardized impact sound pressure level
with spectrum adaptation term CI,50-2500. Requirement values can be deduced
from the equations of the regression line based on the percentage value of
persons dissatisfied. The example of stages of 40%, 20% and 0% of persons
dissatisfied is proposed here for a three-stage requirement system similar to
VDI 4100. These requirement values are represented in Table 6.

Table 6: three-stage requirement values determined by the percentage

value of the persons annoyed by walking noise.

Rating Percentage L´n,w + L´nT,w +

of persons CI,50-2500 CI,50-2500
an-noyed by y = 21*x + 50,8; y = 20,8*x + 49,3;
walk-ing R² = 0,59 R² = 0,60
noise

stage I 40 % 59 dB 58 dB

stage II 20 % 55 dB 53 dB

stage III 0 %* 51 dB 49 dB

The requirement values according to Hagberg [26], which have been includ-
ed in SS 25267 in the meantime, are given in Table 7 for comparison.

Table 7: three-stage requirement values according to Hagberg [26]

Rating Requirement values according to

Hagberg for
L´n,w +CI,50-2500 and for
L´n,w

stage I 56 dB

stage II 52 dB

stage III 48 dB

The requirement values of Hagberg are slightly lower than the deduced re-
quirement values in Table 6. Only one floor of the measured floor construc-
tions in Switzerland achieves stage III according to Hagberg, with a value of
46.7 dB. Based on the data of the measured constructions in this project the

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 57

 requirement values of Hagberg seem to be a little too ambitious. There is,
however, a potential for optimization in the investigated floor constructions,
which had not yet been used. By means of the investigations carried out
within the framework of the AcuWood project, this optimization can be per-
formed in a clearly more adequate and targeted way, since it is known now,
which assessment parameters must be used for rating and which values
should be achieved. Thus, it seems worth considering requirement values
similar to those of Hagberg.

3.3.2 Requirement values for the modified tapping machine

For the first time it is additionally now possible to define requirement values
for the modified tapping machine by means of the available database as for
the standard tapping machine. Figure 32 shows the correlation of the best
single number value L´nT,A,20-2500 (with the highest determination coefficient of
R² = 0.82) and the percentage of persons dissatisfied.

Fig. 32: comparison of the sum of standardized impact sound pressure

levels L´nT,A,20-2500 of the modified tapping machine and the per-
centage of persons annoyed by walking noise.

Figure 33 shows the standardized sum level L´nT,A,50-2500 for comparison.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 58

 Fig. 33: comparison of the standardized sum level L´nT,A,50-2500 of the mod-
ified tapping machine and the percentage value of persons an-
noyed by walking noise

The comparison of Figure 32 and 33 shows that the summation from 50 Hz

to 2500 Hz results in a lower determination coefficient of R² = 0.75 compared
to R²=0.82, exclusively caused by a greater deviation of the measured val-
ues at the timber floor with suspended ceiling from the regression line. The
frequencies down to 20 Hz should also be taken into account in forming the
sum level for this floor construction. If requirement values are deduced in
three stages for the modified tapping machine as for the standard tapping
machine, the values given in Table 8 are achieved.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 59

 Table 8: three-stage requirement values for the modified tapping ma-
chine determined by the percentage of persons annoyed by
walking noise

Rating Percentage L´nT,A,20-2500 L´nT,A,50-2500

of persons y = 29,1*x + 25,2; y = 29*x + 23,9;
an-noyed by R² = 0,82 R² = 0,75
walk-ing
noise

stage I 40 % 37 dB 36 dB

stage II 20 % 31 dB 30 dB

stage III 0 %* 25 dB 24 dB

3.3.3 Requirement values for the Japanese rubber ball

Requirement values can also be deduced for the Japanese rubber ball in the
same way. The correlation between the best single number value and the
percentage of persons annoyed by walking noise is represented in Figure 34
and 35.

Fig. 34: comparison of the standardized maximum sum level L´nT,A,F,max,20-

2500 of the Japanese rubber ball and the percentage of persons
annoyed by walking noise.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 60

 Fig. 35: comparison of the single number value JIS Li,A,F,max of the Japa-
nese rubber ball and the percentage of persons annoyed by
walking noise.

Table 9 gives an overview of the requirement values deduced for the Japa-
nese rubber ball.

Table 9: three-stage requirement values for the Japanese rubber ball de-
termined by the percentage of persons annoyed by walking
noise.

Rating Percentage L´nT,A,F,max,20- L´nT,A,F,max,50- JIS

of persons 2500 2500 Li,A,F,max
an-noyed by y = 24,8*x + y = 27,6*x + y = 22,7*x +
walk-ing 46,9; 44,3; 48,9;
noise R² = 0,74 R² = 0,69 R² = 0,68

stage I 40 % 57 dB 55 dB 58 dB

stage II 20 % 52 dB 50 dB 53 dB

stage III 0 %* 47 dB 44 dB 49 dB

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 61

 The highest requirement values for the rating according to JIS are achieved
for the single number value Li,A,F,max. The values for the sum level from 20 to
2500 Hz are slightly lower, and still lower by approx. 2 dB for the sum level
of the frequency range from 50 to 2500 Hz. The reason is that a lower sum
level occurs for floor constructions with a resonance frequency below 50 Hz,
if the frequency range of the sum level only starts from 50 Hz. This particu-
larly applies to the timber floor with suspended ceiling. The result is a linear
regression, which generates a slightly lower level but also shows a lower de-
termination coefficient.

4 Results: Subjective rating of residents by a questionnaire‐based field

study
The questionnaire-based field survey reveals that the overall ratings by the
residents may be considered as very satisfying. Ratings with regard to an-
noyance caused by noise are quite low. However, walking noise caused by
neighbors raises the highest complaint compared to other noise sources. It
can also be shown that building and floor construction types differ with re-
gard to perceived acoustic annoyance caused by walking noise. Ratings of
residents in single-family houses differ from ratings of residents in multi-
family houses. In this sample floor constructions made from wood are not
rated worse compared to floor constructions made from concrete. However,
this only holds true, if wood-concrete composite floors are included in the
group of wooden floors. Within the group of floor constructions made from
wood, the different types of floors clearly differ from each other with regard to
perceived acoustic annoyance caused by walking noise. This result from the
survey is in accordance to the listening tests and the measurement results in
the building when using an appropriate single number descriptor. In general
it can be stated that the questionnaire used in this field-survey may be ap-
plied for post occupancy evaluation and identification of construction prob-
lems in wooden buildings.

5 Summary
The results of the investigations in the AcuWood project are based on labor-
atory measurements at altogether 16 different floors and 16 floors in build-
ings. They are divided in to 4 floors in massive construction (concrete floor
with floating cement screed and four different commercial floor coverings), 4
uncovered timber floors, 4 timber floors with floating dry screed, and 4 floors
with floating dry screed and suspended ceiling. Eight floors were measured
in single-family houses in timber construction in Germany. All these floors
had floating cement or anhydride screeds. Eight floors were measured in
multi-family houses in timber construction in Switzerland, two of which with
different and currently usual floor constructions (wooden hollow box floor

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 62

 with ballast, wood-concrete composite floor, solid wood floor and ribbed floor
of glued laminated timber with ballast). All buildings in Switzerland had float-
ing screed floors.

Moreover, the results are based on two laboratory listening tests, where al-
together 218 different kinds of noise were assessed. In the listening tests the
individual sensitivity to noise was asked on an 11-point scale as well as the
annoyance of the noise on an 11-point scale, the loudness of the noise on a
51-point scale and the annoyance by assuming permanent sound exposure
while reading was asked to answer by yes/no. The recording of the sounds
was performed by an artificial head and the sound reproduction by head-
phones.

Furthermore, the results are based on two Internet based questionnaires of

residents with regard to the annoyance of a variety of sounds. In this context,
the questionnaires in Germany were carried out primarily in single-family
houses, in Switzerland primarily in multi-family houses. The text of the inter-
views was almost identical in both countries, only differences characteristic
for the country were observed in questioning (for example ß is not used in
Switzerland etc.).

The results for walking noise can be summarized as follows. Since the mov-
ing of the chair in buildings was not mentioned in the interviews as an essen-
tially annoying source, and since the chair used was an object, which cannot
be regarded as representative for all kinds of chairs, the results are given in
brackets. The significance of the statement is not modified by considering
this source. The results are

- The Japanese rubber ball represents walking noise in buildings best.

This is confirmed by the good correlation of subjective annoyance of the
rubber ball with the subjective annoyance of the walking noise with a de-
termination coefficient of R = 0.80 (moving of chairs: R² = 0.72). This
statement also includes the fact that the rubber ball is suitable for field
measurements, as it provides a sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio. The
measurement with the rubber ball can be carried out on all kinds of floor
coverings (including carpet). The single number value L´nT,A,F,max,20 - 2500
reproduces the subjective assessment of walking noise best and shows
good correlation with the annoyance of the walking noise with R² = 0.75
(moving of chairs: R² = 0.82). Moreover, this single number value can be
simply determined by adequate measuring equipment.

- The modified tapping machine represents walking noise in buildings just

as well, but with a determination coefficient (correlation of the subjective
annoyance of the modified tapping machine with the subjective annoy-
ance of walking noise) of R² = 0.71 (moving of chairs: R² = 0.76) has a
less favorable correlation (The influence of background noise could not
be avoided in the subjective assessment in several measurements). The
modified tapping machine generates a sound level, which is similarly in

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 63

 level to the walking noise. Therefore, excitation is too low in most cases
to carry out measurements in buildings (with higher background noise).
Moreover, the effect of the modified tapping machine on soft and flexible
floor coverings, on carpeted floors in particular, are clearly different from
the effect of walking noise. Thus, application of the modified tapping ma-
chine cannot be recommended on carpeted floors. The correlation be-
tween the single number value L´nT,A,20 - 2500 and annoyance of walking
noise was highest of all technical sources investigated with R² = 0.83
(moving of chairs: R² = 0.82).

- The correlation of the subjective annoyance of the standard tapping ma-

chine with the subjective annoyance of walking noise is low, the determi-
nation coefficient is R² = 0.23 (moving of chairs: R² = 0.53). Regarding
the rating methods to determine the single number value, the method
according to Hagberg L´nT,Hagberg,new,03 with R² = 0.63 was best (moving of
chairs: R² = 0.65), the method according to ISO 717 with the best corre-
lation is the single number value of L´nT,w + CI,50 – 2500 with a determination
coefficient of R² = 0.58 (moving of chairs: R² = 0.72). This single number
value represents a rating method for the standard tapping machine,
showing an acceptable correlation with the subjective assessment of liv-
ing noises.

- of the analysis to reveal the best single number values showed that walk-
ing noise can excite low frequencies below 50 Hz (the moving of chairs,
however, excites slightly higher frequencies). If floor constructions are
assessed, which have resonance frequencies below 50 Hz (for example
the timber floor with suspended ceilings in the test facility), the very low
frequencies down to 20 Hz should be taken into account in the ratings
(single number value). It is also significant, whether the technical source
can excite low frequencies. The standard tapping machine excites very
low frequencies less than higher frequencies so that the rating down to
20 Hz is not beneficial (see rating by the AkuLite method). In contrast,
the Japanese rubber ball can excite very low frequencies very well so
that a better correlation is achieved by taking into consideration the fre-
quencies down to 20 Hz. With a normative rating of the frequency range
only down to 50 Hz, for example by using the standard tapping machine
and the rating by L´nT,w + CI,50 – 2500 the risk arises that constructions with
a resonance frequency below 50 Hz are assessed distinctively better,
than the subjective assessment, as the frequencies between 20 and 50
Hz are not considered. Therefore, the application of the Japanese rubber
ball as technical source and a rating down to 20 Hz is recommended.

- The question in the listening tests, whether the noise is assessed as an-
noying, (answered by yes or no) allows the determination of the percent-
age value of persons annoyed. Very good correlation was achieved be-
tween this percentage of persons annoyed by walking noise and the
moving of the chair and the subjective annoyance, with R² = 0.90 for both
noises.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 64

 - Therefore, the correlation of the percentage value of persons annoyed
with the technical single number values (see above) was very similar to
the correlation of the subjective annoyance with the same single number
values. Already existing requirement values could be converted by the
appropriate regression analysis in the percentage value of persons an-
noyed. Vice versa, requirement values can be defined on the basis of the
percentage value of persons annoyed. The suggested requirement val-
ues are specified in 3 stages (similar to VDI 4100 [33]) with a percentage
value of persons annoyed of 40%, 20% and 0%.

- Work within the framework of the AcuWood project allowed for the first
time the definition of requirement values for the Japanese rubber ball
and the modified tapping machine.

- The direct correlation of the percentage of persons annoyed with the re-
quirement values is very valuable, since a transparent and easily under-
standable description of the requirement values is possible for the first
time. Thus, even acoustical laymen like real estate sellers and buyers,
judges or politicians etc. will able to comprehend the significance of re-
quirement values based on the percentage of persons annoyed.

- The results for the moving of the chair are relatively similar to the results
for walking noise. It must, however, be mentioned that the moving of the
chair had a higher frequency spectrum. Therefore the standard tapping
machine as representative source did not show a similar low determina-
tion coefficient as for walking noise. The Japanese rubber ball, however,
as representative source for the moving of the chair lead again to a bet-
ter correlation (with higher determination coefficient R²) than the stand-
ard tapping machine.

- The subjective assessment of the questionnaire in Switzerland showed

that the walking noise was assessed to cause the highest annoyance of
all noise occurring in apartment houses. This complies with previous in-
vestigations and confirms the approach to investigate primarily the an-
noyance caused by walking noise in this project.

- The subjective assessment of the listening tests and the subjective as-
sessment in multi-family houses in Switzerland resulted in very similar
values (The same scale for annoyance was used in the listening tests
and in the questionnaires). Unfortunately, only for two buildings there
was enough questionnaire data available for the comparison to the lis-
tening test data. Therefore there is strong evidence but no proof that the
assessment of the annoyance due to permanent sound exposure in
buildings could also be reproduced by the short-term laboratory investi-
gations.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 65

6 References
[1] Forssen, J., Kropp, W.e.a.: Acoustics in wooden buildings. State of the
art 2008. Vinnova project 2007-01653, Stockholm (2008)

[2] DIN: DIN EN ISO 717-1 (1997): Akustik - Bewertung der Schalldäm-
mung in Gebäuden und von Bauteilen. Teil 1: Luftschalldämmung.
Beuth Verlag GmbH(DIN EN ISO 717-1) (1997).

[3] DIN: DIN EN ISO 717-2 (1997): Akustik - Bewertung der Schalldäm-
mung in Gebäuden und von Bauteilen. Teil 2: Trittschalldämmung
(1997).

[4] Rasmussen, B.: Sound insulation between dwellings – Requirements

in building regulations in Europe. Applied Acoustics 71(4), 373–385
(2010)

[5] Lang, J.: Zur Erweiterung des bauakustischen Frequenzbereichs bis

50 Hz. WKSB 62, 19–32 (2009)

[6] DIN: DIN EN ISO 717-1 (2006): Akustik - Bewertung der Schalldäm-
mung in Gebäuden und von Bauteilen - Teil 1: Luftschalldämmung
(ISO 717-1:1996+AM1:2006). Beuth Verlag GmbH(717-1 (2006))
(2006). [7] DIN:
DIN EN ISO 717-2 (2006): Akustik - Bewertung der Schalldämmung in
Gebäuden und von Bauteilen - Teil 2: Trittschalldämmung (ISO 717-
2:1996 + AM1:2006). Beuth Verlag GmbH(717-2 (2006)) (2006).

[8] Hagberg, K.: Acoustic development of light weight building system. In:
Proc. EURONOISE 2009.

[9] Rindel, J.: Acoustic Quality and Sound Insulation between Dwellings.
In: Proc. Conference in Building Acoustics Dublin 1998.

[10] Scholl, W.M.W.: Impact Sound Insulation of Timber Floors: Interaction

between Source, Floor Coverings and Load Bearing Floor. Building
Acoustics 6(1), 43–61 (1999).

[11] Scholl, W.: Impact Sound Insulation: The Standard Tapping Machine
Shall Learn to Walk! Building Acoustics 8(4), 245–256 (2001).

[12] Jeon, J.Y., Jeong, J.H.: Objective and Subjective Evaluation of Floor
Impact Noise. Journal of Temporal Design in Architecture and the Envi-
ronment 2(1) (2002).

[13] Brunskog, J., Hwang, H., Jeong C.-H: Subjective response to foot-fall
noise, including localization of the source position. In: Proc. INTER-
NOISE 2011.

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 66

 [14] Späh, M. Liebl, A., Leistner. P.: Project Report No. 1: Measurement in
Laboratory and Single Family Houses. WoodWisdom-Net: AcuWood -
Acoustics in Wooden Buildings.

[15] Späh, M. Liebl, A., Leistner. P.: Project Report No. 2: Field Measure-
ments in Multi-Storey Buildings. WoodWisdom-Net: AcuWood - Acous-
tics in Wooden Buildings.

[16] Liebl A., Späh, M., Leistner, P.: Project Report No. 3: Listening Tests
and Questionnaires. WoodWisdom-Net: AcuWood - Acoustics in
Wooden Buildings.

[17] DIN: DIN EN ISO 140-4 (1998): Akustik - Messung der Schalldämmung
in Gebäuden und von Bauteilen. Teil 4: Messung der Luftschalldäm-
mung zwischen Räumen in Gebäuden (ISO 140-4: 1998). Beuth Ver-
lag GmbH(140-4 (1998)).

[18] ISO: ISO 140-4 Acoustics- Measurement of sound insulation in build-

ings and of building elements. Part 1 to 18, Geneva, Switzerland(ISO
140).

[19] Gösele, K.: Evaluation of sound reduction in building structures by

means of rating curves. Zur Bewertung der Schalldämmung von Bau-
teilen nach Sollkurven (1965).

[20] Cremer, L.: Schallschutz von Bauteilen (1960).

[21] Thorsson, P.: Subjective evaluation of footsteps noise on lightweight

structures - Design of laboratory experiments. In: Proc Forum Acusti-
cum 2011 Aalborg, pp. 1817–1822.

[22] International Organization for Standardization ISO: ISO 16717-1

Acoustics - Evaluation of sound insulation spectra by single numbers.
Part 1: Airborne sound insulation, NA 062-02-31 AA N 1199 (16717-1)
(2012).

[23] International Organization for Standardization ISO: ISO 16717-2

Acoustics - Evaluation of sound insulation spectra by single numbers.
Part 2: Impact sound insulation(16717-2) (2011).

[24] Fasold, W.: Untersuchungen über den Verlauf der Sollkurve für den
Trittschallschutz im Wohnungsbau. Acustica 15, 271–284 (1965).

[25] Bodlund, K.: Alternative Reference Curves for Evaluation of the Impact
Sound Insulation between Dwellings. Journal of Sound and Vibration
102(3), 381–402 (1985).

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 67

 [26] Hagberg, K.: Evaluating Field Measurements of Impact Sound. Build-
ing Acoustics 17(2), 105–128 (2010).

[27] Ljunggren, F., Simmons, C., Hagberg, K.: Findings from the AcuLite
project: Correlation between measured vibro-acoustic parameters and
subjective perception in lightweight buildings. In: Proc. INTER-NOISE
2013

[28] Simmons, C., Ljunggren, F., Hagberg, K.: Findings from the AcuLite
project: New single number for impact sound 20-5000 Hz based on
field measurements and occupant´s survey. In: Proc. INTER-NOISE
2013

[29] Japanese Standards Association: JIS A 1419-2 (200): Acoustics - Rat-

ing of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements - Part 2:
Floor impact sound insulation (JIS A 1419-2) (2000).

[30] Tachibana, H., Tanaka H., Yasuoka, M., Kimura, S.: Development of
new heavy and soft impact source for the assessment of floor impact
sound insulation of buildings. In: Proc. INTER-NOISE 1998, pp. 825–
828.

[31] Thorsson, P., Larsson, P.: Literature study WP1 AkuLite (2011).

[32] DIN: DIN 4109 Schallschutz im Hochbau Anforderungen und Nachwei-

se. Beuth Verlag GmbH(4109) (1989).

[33] VDI: VDI 4100 (2012): Sound insulation between rooms in buildings -
dwellings - Assessment and proposals for enhanced sound insulation
between rooms. VDI(4100) (2012).

[34] Sipari, P.: Sound Insulation Of Multi-Storey Houses - A Summary Of

Finnish Impact Sound Insulation Results. Building Acoustics 7(1), 15–
30 (2000).

[35] ISO: ISO 389-7 (2005):Acoustics - Reference zero for the calibration of
audiometric equipment - Part 7: Reference threshold of hearing under
free-field and diffuse-field listening conditions, Geneva, Switzerland
(389-7) (2005).

[36] Scholl, W.: Das Normhammerwerk muß laufen lernen. In: Proc. DAGA
2001.

[37] Korean Standard: KS F 2863-2: Rating of floor impact sound insulation

for impact source in building and of building elements. Part 2: Floor Im-
pact sound insulation against heavy impact source (KS F 2863-2).

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 68

 [38] Fabian Spinner: Trittschallminderung von Unterdecken unter Verwen-
dung praxisgerechter Trittschallquellen. Bachelorthesis, Hochschule für
Technik - University of Applied Sciences (2012).

[39] DIN: Beiblatt 2 zu DIN 4109 Schallschutz im Hochbau Hinweise für

Planung und Ausführung. Beuth Verlag GmbH(BBl 2 zu DIN 4109)
(1989).

Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP AcuWood Report 4 69

AcuWood –
Acoustics in wooden buildings
AcuWood is a project within the WoodWisdom-Net
Research programme and running 2010-2013. It is
performed in cooperation with research and industry
partners from Germany, Sweden and Switzerland
and coordinated by SP Wood Technology.
The main objectives are to find objective criteria for
acoustic quality that is independent of the type of
building system, to increase the knowledge base for
future development and to increase the competitive-
ness of lightweight structures. The project is run in
close contact with international R&D and standardi-
zation.

SP Report 2014:17

Stockholm • Borås • Skellefteå • Växjö

Tel: +46 10 516 50 00 • www.sp.se/tratek