Transmission and radiation of acoustic oblique incident through tube arrays based on phononic crystals theory

In a utility boiler, the heat exchanger’s structure is similar to a two-dimensional phononic crystal. Based on the phononic crystal theory, this paper studies sound propagation through tube arrays as a function of the incident sound direction and the surroundings temperature. We carried out both the computational and experimental work for particular values of the pitch and diameters in the tube arrays and studied the band-gap diagram and insertion loss spectra for different angles of incidence. The first band gap is found to correspond to Bragg’s Law while the second band gap moves to lower frequencies as the angle increases. Simulations indicate also that the uneven temperature field influences the insertion loss spectrum. Results of experiments and calculations confirm that, for a particular tube array, the most important factors influencing sound propagation are incidence angle and the surrounding temperature. For the acoustic source in tube arrays, the acoustic radiation have relation with the frequency whether in the acoustic bang gap or not. The results should provide a basis for further work: both on sound source localization and low frequency sonic cleaning in large tube arrays.     

Assessment of sandwich models for the prediction of sound transmission loss in unidirectional sandwich panels

The consistent higher-order approach and the two-parameter foundation formulation are used for the derivation of sound transmission loss in symmetric unidirectional (infinitely wide) sandwich panels with isotropic face sheets. In both models, transmission loss is calculated using decoupled equations representing symmetric and anti-symmetric motions of a sandwich panel. The closed-form expressions for impedances and transmission coefficient of a symmetric sandwich panel with an isotropic core are derived for the two-parameter foundation model. A comparison between the numerical predictions based on the two sandwich models and available experimental data shows that the consistent higher-order formulation can be used to predict the transmission loss in symmetric sandwich panels with both honeycomb and isotropic cores. For prediction of transmission loss of symmetric sandwich panels with an isotropic core, the two-parameter foundation model is more convenient, while the consistent higher-order approach is more accurate.     

多孔弹性介质三层夹心板的隔声性能研究

应用Biot关于流体饱和多孔弹性介质的声传播理论,采用传递矩阵的分析方法,就复合多孔弹性材料夹心三层板在不同结构情况下的隔声性能进行了理论研究和实验分析,并与同等条件下双层夹心板的隔声性能进行了比较。数值计算和实验结果均表明,与双层夹心板相比,三层夹心板在中高频段隔声性能有明显优势,但低频段隔声性能有一定程度上的下降。研究还表明不同结构的复合三层夹心板在隔声效果上也各有特色。     

A method for determining the sound reduction index of precast panels based on point mobility measurements

Precast panels are widely used for the construction of large industrial buildings, trade centres and apartment houses. These buildings have to comply with prescribed noise and thermal requirements, so the possibility to accurately estimate the sound reduction index of such panels is of vital importance. The sound reduction index can be determined through measurements carried out in a laboratory or on an already mounted real-scale panel, but both solutions present problems. For example, precast structures consisting of two concrete panels coupled via an interlayer can be very bulky and heavy, and measurements in standard sound transmission laboratories may be impossible to carry out. In some countries, predictions based on theoretical models are accepted in lieu of measurements. Following this approach, the application of simple models, not accounting for the influence of coincidence and of losses, is not sufficient to make acceptable predictions. In this paper, an alternative method to estimate the sound reduction index of precast panels is proposed. Different panels have been considered in the study, each of which has been modelled by a mathematical representation found in the literature. It will be shown that all of these models can be synthesised by a common mathematical formulation, allowing the sound reduction index to be determined from point mobility measurements. The effectiveness of the new method has been investigated by comparing predicted and measured results, obtained in a sound transmission laboratory satisfying existing ISO standards.     

A sound absorption panel containing coiled Helmholtz resonators

This study proposes a promising design of sound absorption panels containing acoustic resonators. Each resonator is comprised of one small-sized and one large-sized tubes in series. The former can be viewed as the neck of a Helmholtz resonator, while the latter serves as a resonant chamber. Both tubes are bent up to fit in limited space of the panel. The 3D printing technology is exploited to fabricate samples for measurements. Frequency manipulation for the absorption peak can be achieved by adjusting the geometric parameters of tubes. Moreover, two pairs of resonators with different dimensions can broaden the bandwidth of absorption. Theoretical predictions on absorption characteristics agree well with numerical and experimental results. The proposed structure offers a feasible way of absorbing low-frequency sound without the need to use thick panels.     

鳀鱼(Engraulis japonicus)目标强度的模型法研究

采用声散射理论和目标强度近似模型评估法对黄海鲤鱼（Engraulis japonicus）的声散射特征和目标强度进行了数值计算与评估研究。散射模型由鱼鳔模型和鱼体模型两个部分构成，其中鱼鳔采用充满气体的椭球体模型，鳔除外的鱼体采用充满液体的椭球体模型。理论数值计算所需参数取自全长12．6cm的鲤鱼个体，其鱼鳔尺寸利用X光照片测得。平均目标强度利用模型算得的不同角度下的声散射强度与鲲鱼倾角分布函数的卷积计算，其中倾角（度）的分布函数设为N（-3．9，12．8^2）。结果显示，鲲鱼对声波的散射具有明显指向性；在38kHz和120kHz工作频率下，鲲鱼的最大背向目标强度分别为-41．2dB和-39．5dB，有效平均目标强度分别为-48．0dB和-51．5dB，与实测结果吻合较好。另外还对鲲鱼的反向散射指向性特征、目标强度的频率特征以及鱼鳔对鲲鱼整体目标强度的贡献等进行了分析与讨论。以上研究表明，模型法作为现场测定研究方法的重要补充和认知鱼类声学散射特性的有效途径，可在我国鱼类目标强度的研究中发挥重要作用。     

水下多层均匀材料的声特性

本文研究水和空气中由不同厚度的两层弹性板及消声橡胶共同组成的分层介质在斜入射时的声特性,并采用数值方法求解多层结构声场的线性方程组。得到反射,透射系数,当板的厚度远小于波长时,采用弹性薄壳振动模型和弹性波模型进行计算,它们的结果基本相同,但是薄壳振动模型更便于计算和理论分析;对系统反射系数和透射系数的计算结果表明,系统增加消声橡胶层后,极大地改变后射系数和透射系数的频率响应;频率升高,反射系数减小     

Determination of the sound power levels emitted by various vehicles using a novel testing method

This paper presents a new and efficient method to determine sound power levels (PWLs). PWLs, generally used for modeling outdoor sound simulations, are obtained from sounds that are emitted by various types of vehicles and cause road traffic noise. Other models, such as HARMONOISE and the ASJ Model, are also based on PWLs. However, a more efficient method is required for determining PWLs from sound pressure levels (SPLs) that typically are measured by field testing and evaluating the influence of different vehicles and road surfaces. The statistical pass-by (SPB) of ISO 11819-1 is used for SPL measurements; however, numerous SPBs must be carried out to reduce measurement uncertainty as well as to satisfy requirements related to meteorological conditions and background noise. In order to alleviate this problem and to make the determination of PWLS more efficient, a testing approach is presented that uses both the novel close proximity (NCPX) method and the pass-by method to determine PWLs.     

An analytical study of sound transmission through unbounded panels of functionally gradedmaterials

The problem of sound transmission and reflection from unbounded panels of functionally graded materials is studied using an analytical approach. By means of matrix manipulation and Fourier component analysis, the three-dimensional (3-D) governing equations of elastodynamics are converted into a system of ordinary differential equations with variable coefficients in the frequency and wavenumber domain. Integration of the ordinary differential equation system across the panel thickness leads to a closed-form solution for the transfer matrix. Analytical expressions are then obtained for sound reflection and transmission coefficients for panels of functionally graded materials. The present model is used to predict sound transmission losses for various panel examples. The results compare well with published data from other methods, thereby validating the accuracy of the formulation developed in this study.     

分层吸声结构的声学设计与性能分析

本文给出了声波在多层介质中的传播方程，通过数值计算，分析了各层参数对分层吸声结构声学性能的影响规律。用参数匹配方法，对多层吸声结构各层材料的参数进行设计。结果表明，通过合理分布各层材料，多层吸声结构可以在较宽频段上达到满意的吸声性能。     

Acoustic time histories from vibrating surfaces of a diesel engine

An experiment on a diesel engine provides for validation of a method that retrieves source strength spectra, source strength time histories and sound pressure time histories of the engine’s complex partial sources. The method is based on empirical transfer function measurements and inverse matrix calculations briefly described in the article. Different simplifying source models were selected by comparison of calculated and measured auto spectra. The results show: (1) indication of time efficient measurements of source strength spectra, (2) the importance of correct source models in the case of separated source strength time histories, and (3) spectra of separated sound pressure time histories. Listening tests reported that it is possible to detect well differentiated sounds of the partial sources as a result of the method.     

Experimental investigation of holes interaction effect on the sound absorption coefficient of micro-perforated panels under high and medium sound levels

This paper experimentally investigates the holes interaction effect on the sound absorption coefficient of micro-perforated panels under high and medium sound levels. The theoretical formulations are based on a semi-empirical approach and the use of Fok’s function to model the acoustic surface impedance. For the high sound level regime, an empirical power law involving three coefficients is adapted. It is shown theoretically and experimentally that these coefficients can lead to optimized absorption performance and particularly, a formula relating the critical Reynolds number (Reynolds number value after which the absorption coefficient decreases with the increase of sound level) and the center-to-center distance between the perforations is derived. It is demonstrated that the first coefficient of the nonlinear acoustic resistance strongly depends on the separation distance between the apertures and decreases with a decrease of this latter distance. Analysis of the data reveals the fact that even with Holes Interaction Effect (HIE), the nonlinear reactance dependence on velocity is still very low compared to the resistance-velocity dependence. Four perforated panels of 1.5 mm thickness with different separation distances between the holes (from widely to closely separation) were built and tested. Experimental results performed with an impedance tube are compared with the described model for HIE. To test the dependence of the coefficients on frequency, the experiments are carried out for two different excitation frequencies (292 Hz and 506 Hz). The results can be used for designing optimal perforated panels for ducts, silencers and for the automotive industry.     

Acoustic comfort in large dining spaces

This study carried out a questionnaire field investigation in two typical large dining spaces. The results suggest that the acoustic comfort of diners has an influence on the comfort evaluation of the overall dining environment, and background noise is an important factor affecting the acoustic comfort evaluation of diners. The role of various individual sound sources in background noise has been investigated, considering general background music, speech sound, activity sound, and mechanical noise, and it has been revealed that background music, other diners’ speech sound and tableware’s impact sound has a dominant impact on the acoustic comfort evaluation of diners. Compared with the existence of background music in background noise, diners’ acoustic comfort evaluation is higher than that without background music. The loudness, articulation, noise level and preference degree of various individual sound sources are factors which affect diners’ acoustic comfort evaluation on sound sources. In terms of demographic and social factors, gender and the frequency of dining out have a significant impact on diners’ acoustic comfort evaluation.     

Effect of occupancy on acoustical conditions in university classrooms

Acoustical measurements were made in 12 university classrooms with and without occupants at Kangwon National University (KNU), Korea to investigate how the occupants influence the acoustical conditions of the classrooms. The mean sound absorption per occupant was calculated from the measured T₃₀ values and compared in two different groups of classrooms (6 reflective and 6 absorptive classrooms). At 250 and 500 Hz, the mean sound absorption per occupant was nearly the same for both groups of classrooms, but not in the other octave bands. The results showed that the effect of the added absorption of occupants is dependent on the acoustical conditions of the classroom. The changes in acoustical parameter values, due to added occupants in the classrooms, tended to be largest for the more reflective classrooms. The occupants may contribute to achieving more ideal reverberation times for speech (typically 0.4–0.7 s in classrooms) in the more reflective classrooms, but not in the more absorptive classrooms. A simple process is described to predict the expected effects of adding occupants to other classrooms based on the total sound absorption of unoccupied rooms.     

Prediction of reverberation time using the residual minimization method

In many practical situations the assumption of sound field dispersion needed for the application of the Sabine’s theory is not fulfilled. In general, sound field is sufficiently dispersed if there are no large differences in the dimensions of the room, limiting partitions are not parallel, or the sound absorbing material is uniformly distributed. In practice, very few of these requirements are satisfied. As a result, a number of other formulas describing reverberation time have been created, for example Fitzroy’s or Neubauer’s formulas. However, these methods in many cases differ significantly from the actual measurements. The paper presents a method used to estimate reverberation time as well as its applicability potential involving laboratory models and auditorium rooms. The proposed method can be classified into a group of learning methods and involves the use of statistical methods which allow for approximation with the use of the least squares method.     

Single frequency sound propagation in flat waveguides with locally reactive impedance boundaries

A coherent image source method is presented for evaluating single frequency sound propagation from a point source in a flat waveguide with two infinite and parallel locally reactive boundaries. The method starts from formulating reflections of the spherical sound radiation into integrals of plane wave expansion, and the analytical evaluation of the integrals is simplified by introducing a physically plausible assumption that wave front shapes remain the same before and after each reflection on a reflective boundary. The proposed model can determine coherently the sound fields at arbitrary receiver locations in a flat waveguide, even when one boundary is highly sound absorptive. Being compared with the classical wave theory and the existing coherent ray-based methods, it is shown that the proposed method provides considerable accuracy and advantages to predict sound propagation in flat waveguides with a sound absorptive ceiling and a reflective floor over a broad frequency range, particularly at large distances from the source where the existing methods are problematic.     

Sound transmission prediction by 3-D elasticity theory

The problem of sound transmission through layered panel structures is studied with the exact theory of three-dimensional (3-D) elasticity. The exact solution to the 3-D elasticity equations is obtained by the use of the Fourier spectral method. Based on this analytical solution, a transfer matrix is derived that relates the spectral displacements and stresses on the one surface of the panel to those on the opposite panel surface. The transfer matrix is then used to develop the analytical solutions for sound reflection and transmission coefficients. Explicit, concise expressions are obtained for the analytical solutions of the acoustic transmission and reflection coefficients under the general conditions of layered anisotropic panels. Examples are given for both single-layer and sandwich panels. Predictions on sound transmission from the 3-D elasticity theory are compared with available data from other methods, and the results are discussed.     

The influence of absorption factors on the sensitivity of a virtual room’s sound field to scattering coefficients

Currently there is limited information on what scattering coefficients (SCs) to assign materials in geometrical room acoustic computer models. As a result, room modelers rely on general guidelines and intuition when assigning SCs. How sensitive is the predicted sound field to the user’s choice of scattering coefficients? The sound field’s sensitivity depends on its diffusivity (without SCs); the more diffuse the room’s sound field is, the less sensitive the virtual room is to the selection of SCs. In rooms with no fittings to diffuse sound energy, the sound field diffusivity is influenced by (1) room shape, (2) volume, (3) amount and (4) location of absorption, and (5) the choice of SCs. This investigation focuses only on the latter three factors. A rectangular room is modeled in ODEON v6.5 with 10 absorption schemes. These schemes vary in terms of the area of mirrored reflective surfaces, average absorption coefficient, and standard deviation of absorption. The amount of diffuse reflections at each room boundary as dictated by the SC is increased uniformly in each room. Changes in the room sound field, in particular in the reverberation time (T30), are examined at each step. Sound field diffusivity, and consequently a virtual room model’s sensitivity to SCs, is found to depend most on the area of mirrored reflective surfaces. Also, a proposed quantity called the Scattering Sensitivity Index appears to predict sound field diffusivity.     

Minimization of sound radiation from baffled beams through optimization of partial constrained layer damping treatment

An optimization study is presented with aim to minimize the sound power radiated by a simply supported, baffled beam with constrained layer damping (CLD) treatment. The governing equation of motion for the calculation of time-harmonic response of a partially CLD covered beam is derived first on the basis of energy approach. Assumed-modes method is used to solve the equation with obtained frequency response functions at different beam locations, which are further used for the calculation of its radiated sound power into half free-space by using Rayleigh’s integral. The optimization problem is then formulated to minimize the sound power radiated by the beam over a frequency range of interest covering multiple resonant modes. A genetic algorithm-based penalty function method is employed to search for the optimum of location/length of the CLD patch and the shear modulus of viscoelastic layer. Optimal results show that for a simply supported beam with a transverse force applied at its central location, it is not necessary to fully cover the structure using CLD patch in order to achieve the largest reduction in the sound power radiated by the beam over a frequency range. With inclusion of the amount of damping material to be minimized, the optimal CLD coverage length is only one-fourth of the base beam’s. Moreover, the optima of three design variables, the CLD coverage length, location on the beam and the shear modulus of viscoelastic layer, are highly relevant to each other.     

Active control of acoustic reflection,absorption, and transmission using thin panel speakers

This paper explores the development of thin panels that can be controlled electronically so as to provide surfaces with desired reflection coefficients. Such panels can be used as either perfect reflectors or absorbers. They can also be designed to be transmission blockers that block the propagation of sound. The development of the control system is based on the use of wave separation algorithms that separate incident sound from reflected sound. In order to obtain a desired reflection coefficient, the reflected sound is controlled to appropriate levels. The incident sound is used as an acoustic reference for feedforward control and has the important property of being isolated from the action of the control system speaker. In order to use a panel as a transmission blocker, the acoustic pressure behind the panel is driven to zero. The use of the incident signal as a reference again plays a key role in successfully reducing broadband transmission of sound. The panels themselves are constructed using poster board and small rare-earth actuators. Detailed experimental results are presented showing the efficacy of the algorithms in achieving real-time control of reflection or transmission. The panels are able to effectively block transmission of broadband sound. Practical applications for these panels include enclosures for noisy machinery, noise-absorbing wallpaper, the development of sound walls, and the development of noise-blocking glass windows.