Effects of spatial characteristics of footsteps sounds and non-acoustic factors on annoyance in lightweight timber buildings

Frescura, Alessia, Lee, Pyoung Jik ORCID: 0000-0002-0328-9175, Soeta, Yoshiharu and Ariki, Ayaka (2022) Effects of spatial characteristics of footsteps sounds and non-acoustic factors on annoyance in lightweight timber buildings. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT, 222. p. 109405.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109405

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of spatial characteristics of footsteps sound from upstairs in wooden residential buildings together with the influence of non-acoustic factors on annoyance ratings. Footsteps sound were recorded in the laboratory, where a typical lightweight timber joists floor is located between the source and receiving room. Two adults walked on the floor over three different paths (figure-of-eight, straight, and walking on the spot) at two different paces (very slow and normal). The spatial features of the recordings were quantified in terms of the magnitude of interaural cross-correlation (IACC) function. A total of 46 participants were recruited and they assessed their subjective annoyance after exposure to noise under laboratory conditions. During the laboratory experiments, 360-degree pictures of a living room during daytime or night-time were presented via a Head-Mounted Display (HMD). In addition, the participants were asked to answer questions concerning noise sensitivity, chronotype, and attitude towards neighbours. Results highlighted that IACC had a significant effect on annoyance, showing an increase in annoyance with increasing IACC. Footsteps at a very slow pace were more annoying than those at a normal pace. It was also found that annoyance ratings with a presentation of the living room during daytime were greater than those with a presence of the night-time living room. Furthermore, noise sensitivity, circadian rhythm, and attitude towards neighbours of participants were significant in moderating annoyance ratings.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Annoyance, Attitude towards neighbours, Chronotype, Footsteps sound, IACC, Noise sensitivity, Walking pace
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	04 Oct 2022 07:53
Last Modified:	21 Jul 2023 01:30
DOI:	10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109405
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3164987