Development of a highway traffic noise prediction model that considers various road surface types

A highway traffic noise prediction model has been developed for environmental assessment in South Korea. The model is based on an outdoor sound propagation method and is fully compliant with ISO 9613 and the sound power level (PWL) estimation for a road segment, as suggested in the ASJ Model-1998 that is based on PWLs. Due to that model’s selection of two pavement types, such as asphalt or concrete pavement, an unacceptable traffic noise prediction is made in cases where the road surface is different from that on which the model is based. In order to address this problem, several road surface types are categorized, and the PWL of each surface type is determined and modeled by measuring the noise levels obtained from newly developed methods. An evaluation of the traffic noise prediction model using field measurements finds good agreement between predicted and measured noise levels.     

Highway traffic noise prediction using method fully compliant with ISO 9613: comparison with measurements

In this study, we introduce outdoor sound simulation that is fully compliant with ISO 9613 yet with some complementary methods that enhance its applicability; for example, calculation of sound attenuation due to undulating terrain in octave bands, geometric divergence in the near-field of the source, and short-term wind effects. Using the method, we have carried out highway traffic noise prediction and measurement for 12 sites with representative road shapes and structures. In the prediction, the sound power level for a road segment was estimated by the method suggested in ASJ Model-1998 with experimental corrections to the overall noise level and spectrum. Comparing results between predicted and measured noise levels show good correspondence at direct, diffracted and reflected sound fields within 30m from the center of the near side lane.     

Prediction of Outdoor Noise Propagation Induced By Single-Phase Power Transformers

Outdoor power transformers are one of the most pervasive noise sources in power transmission and distribution systems. Accurate prediction of outdoor noise propagation plays a dominant role for the evaluation and control of noise relevant to the transformer stations. In this paper surface vibration tests are carried out on a scale model of a single-phase transformer tank wall at different excitation frequencies. The phase and amplitude of test data are found to be randomly distributed when the excitation frequency exceeds the seventh mode frequency, which allows the single-phase power transformer to be simplified as incoherent point sources. An outdoor-coherent model is subsequently developed and incorporated with the image source method to investigate noise propagation from single-phase power transformers, due to the occurrence of multiple reflections and diffractions in the propagation path of each point source. The proposed model is used to calculate the sound field of the power transformer group by exploiting the additional phase information. In comparison with the ISO9613 model and the boundary element method, it is found that the proposed coherent image source method leads to more accurate prediction results, and hence better performance for the prediction of the outdoor noise induced by single-phase power transformers.     

SEA and contribution analysis for interior noise of a high speed train

This paper presents a detailed Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) and contribution analysis of the interior noise of a high-speed train through extensive simulations and measurements. The SEA model was developed based on the actual geometrical parameters of a benchmark high-speed coach. Sound transmission loss levels of the structural components of the car body, which are required in the SEA model, were tested in a dedicated acoustic laboratory following international standard ISO 140-3:1995. Modal densities of these structural components were derived from measured frequency response functions using the modal counting method. Damping loss factors were obtained using the half-power bandwidth method and the vibration attenuation method. By considering the relationship between sound radiation and power transmission, coupling loss factors between structures and cavities were estimated. Source inputs to the SEA model were derived from field experiment data. Interior noise due to those sources was predicted using the SEA model and the prediction was generally in good agreement with measurement. Contribution analysis was then performed using this validated model through parametric study, and this analysis was further examined experimentally. In conclusion, for the coach that was investigated in this paper, the key factors for interior noise are sidewall vibration, bogie area noise, and floor sound transmission loss. Based on this and other engineering considerations, an interior noise control strategy can be defined.     

Façade noise abatement prediction: New spectrum adaptation terms measured in field in different road and railway traffic conditions

The Façade Acoustic Insulation Index is one of the most disputed parameters for residential and non-residential buildings. The real performance of the façades does not often agree with the calculated one during the design stage. The field measurement sessions are usually carried out using pink noise spectra, as suggested by the International Standards ISO 717-1. In the present paper six mean spectra derived from in field measurements were proposed: urban toads, traffic lights, roundabouts, freeways, Highways, very high speed trains, high speed trains, and low speed trains. The proposed spectra were equalized against acoustic distortion and were used to measure the noise abatements in a terraced house and in a classroom façade. The highest abatements result for spectra with high levels at high frequencies, better absorbed than low ones by façade elements and frames. The spectrum adaptation terms were also calculated both for the standard and the proposed spectra and were used to predict the façade abatements in compliance with EN ISO 12354-3: the values C_j calculated from the proposed spectra provided more reliable results than the terms C and C_tr (ISO 717-1) and represent a useful tool to predict the noise façade abatements.     

Dispersion relation for air via Kramers-Kronig analysis

A general expression for the dispersion of acoustic waves in air is obtained by combining the attenuation coefficient given by the ISO:9613-1 standard and the twice-subtracted Kramers-Kronig relation. Good agreement is found with published data of sound velocity at different frequencies and relative humidities. The resulting expression is used to investigate changes in local dispersion with temperature and humidity.     

Hearing loss from gun and railroad noise--relations with ISO standard 1999.

Pure-tone hearing thresholds and anamnestic data pertaining to nosocusis and exposure to gun noise were analyzed for 9778 male railroad train-crew workers. A major portion of losses in hearing sensitivity due to railroad noise are obscured in comparisons of hearing levels of trainmen with the hearing levels of the unscreened samples of United States males given in Annex B, ISO 1999 [ISO 1999 (1990), "Acoustics--Determination of occupational noise exposure and estimation of noise-induced hearing impairment" (International Organization for Standardization, Geneva)]. Comparisons of the hearing levels, adjusted for nosocusis, of trainmen who had used no guns, with the hearing levels of otologically and noise screened males (Annex A, ISO 1999) reveal significant losses due to railroad noise. Additional losses were found at high frequencies in trainmen who had used guns. It appears that the effective Leq8h exposure level of trainmen to railroad noise is about 92 dBA, and 87-89 dBA to gun noise. These results are in general agreement with those of study of railway workers by Prosser et al. [Br. J. Audiol. 22, 85-91 (1988)]. Asymmetries in losses between the two ears, effects of ear protection, losses from nosocusis, and losses from sport, as compared to military, gun noise exposures, are examined.     

Train noise reduction scenarios for compliance with future noise legislation

The Technical Specification for Interoperability (TSI) for high-speed trains on the European market includes limits on noise emission. These and other future restrictions on exterior noise of high-speed and intercity trains will require that train manufacturers implement noise control measures early in the design phase.A fundamental problem faced by manufacturers during the design process is determining how much noise reduction is required for each of the various noise sources on the train in order to achieve an optimal balance. To illustrate this process, estimates are presented of the contributions from different sources on existing Bombardier trains, based on measured data, numerical calculations and empirical formulae.In addition, methods of achieving the required noise reductions for different sources are briefly discussed along with targets for future exterior noise emission.Measurement results presented demonstrate the importance of track quality in noise emission. Noise restrictions, including future legislation, must give proper recognition to this important parameter.     

“Buzz-saw” noise: Prediction of the rotor-alone pressure field

Public expectations of lower environmental noise levels, and increasingly stringent legislative limits on aircraft noise, result in noise being a critical technical issue in the development of jet engines. Noise at take-off, when the engines are at high-power operating conditions, is a key reference level for engine noise certification. “Buzz-saw” noise is the dominant fan tone noise from modern high-bypass-ratio turbofan aircraft engines during take-off. Rotor-alone tones are the key component of buzz-saw noise. The rotor-alone pressure field is cut-off at subsonic fan tip speeds; buzz-saw noise is associated with supersonic fan tip speeds, or equivalently, high power engine operating conditions. A recent series of papers has described new work concerning the prediction of buzz-saw noise. The prediction method is based on modelling the nonlinear propagation of one-dimensional sawtooth waveforms. A sawtooth waveform is a simplified representation of the rotor-alone pressure field. Previous validation of the prediction method focussed entirely on reproducing the spectral characteristics of buzz-saw noise; this was dictated at that time by the availability of spectral data only for comparison between measurement and prediction. In this paper, full validation of the method by comparing measurement and prediction of the rotor-alone pressure field is published for the first time. It is shown that results from the modelling based on a one-dimensional sawtooth waveform capture the essential features of the rotor-alone pressure field as it propagates upstream inside a hard-walled inlet duct. This verifies that predictions of the buzz-saw noise spectrum, which are in good agreement with the measured data, are based on a model which reproduces the key physics of the noise generation process. Validation results for the rotor-alone pressure field in an acoustically lined inlet duct are also shown. Comparisons of the measured and predicted rotor-alone pressure field are more difficult to interpret because the acoustic lining significantly modifies the sawtooth waveform, but there remains good agreement with the measured spectral data. The buzz-saw noise prediction code used to generate the simulations in this paper has been used by the Rolls–Royce Noise Department since 2004.     

脉冲激光诱导光纤损伤的测试方法

 针对传能光纤的高峰值功率激光损伤过程，研究了光纤损伤测试方法。实验装置搭建中增加了定位孔，有利于激光注入光纤对准；分别采用刀口法和CCD法对入射光束不同截面处光斑大小进行了测量，两种方法的测量结果基本一致。参考GJB1487-92激光光学元件测试方法和ISO11245光学表面的激光诱导损伤阈值测试方法，采用N-ON-1损伤测试和有效光斑面积计算方法对芯径为400 μm的石英包层阶跃折射率石英光纤进行了损伤阈值测试。实验发现：光纤损伤部位全部为入射端面，利用200倍显微镜观察光纤端面，出现明显永久性损伤点。最后采用统计学原理和线性拟合等方法得出测试光纤的端面零概率损伤阈值为3.85 GW/cm²。