An improved method for determination of radiated sound power and sound transmission from large sources

The proposed method is an improvement of the methods for measurement of sound power level, in which the real sound source is represented by an equivalent monopole. It is based on a new concept, the equivalent acoustical centre, which is introduced and defined in the paper. The main assets of the method in comparison with the existing monopole-methods are a higher accuracy, a possibility of measuring at considerably shorter distances from the noise source, and a certain freedom in the choise of the measuring points around the source. Moreover, since the position of the equivalent monopole is obtained, it can be used for more accurate calculations of the sound transmission to the surroundings of the source. The method is particularly suitable for determination of sound power levels and sound transmission of noise radiated from large areas, such as industrial complexes, installations of petrochemical industries and the like. It can be especially useful in disputable cases of industrial plants that produce noise close to the legally permissible limit. The new method was first reported at the meeting of the Dutch Acoustical Society which took place in Utrecht on 22 November 1978.