Procedures for determining the acoustic efficiency of edge-modified noise barriers

This paper describes the noise shielding efficiency of barriers with an acoustic device mounted on their top edge for reducing sound diffraction. Diffraction behind the edge-modified barrier is investigated by scale model experiments in which the positions of a source and a receiver are aligned along a circular arc around the barrier top. The result indicates that the acoustic efficiency of the edge device is a function of the angles of the source and receiver and independent of their radii. Based on this finding, a novel procedure for determining the efficiency of manufactured edge devices is established. This procedure is very beneficial for estimating the edge device efficiency by eliminating ground and meteorological effects. The measured efficiency of the device will be quite useful for the prediction of noise propagation behind the edge-modified barriers.     

Time-delayed phase-control for suppression of the flow-induced noise from an open cavity

A flow over an open cavity causes a cavity resonance, which is a feedback mechanism between the acoustic waves and the pressure fluctuation of the cavity flow. Previous research on the reduction of the cavity resonance has focused on suppressing the flow disturbance. This paper presents a time-delayed phase-control method to reduce the global noise of the cavity. Acoustic feedback of the cavity noise, which amplifies the flow disturbance, can be generally reduced by this control method, regardless of the flow physics. The positions of the sensors and the actuator are determined to increase the control efficiency. Experiments show that this control method reduces the peak of the flow oscillation by suppressing the acoustic feedback.     

A procedure for the assessment of wind turbine noise

The noise assessment at the receivers due to wind turbines in operation is usually performed through outdoor measurements. Background noise and wind turbines noise (WTN) are related to wind speed and both contribute to the overall measured noise levels (environmental noise). Nevertheless, the relation between noise and wind speed is not easily predictable, especially when the wind farms are installed in hilly terrains, where the wind shear is truly remarkable. In Italy and in other countries, this kind of assessment is even more difficult to perform due to the national regulations that require to compute the difference between environmental and background noise levels with the same weather conditions. Thus, to get a reliable and approved measure of the residual noise it would be necessary to turn off the wind farm. This work suggests a technical procedure to simultaneously estimate the immission and the residual noise components measured nearby a wind farm when the residual noise is mainly generated by wind. This allows the evaluation of the noise impact produced by operational wind farms, without requiring the farm shut down. The method aims to be fairly straightforward, thus maintaining the required scientific basis to be used as an assessment procedure by consultants and public bodies.     

Viewing the noise propagation mechanism in a unidirectional transition cascade from the perspective of stability

Noise and noise propagation are inevitable and play a constructive role in various biological processes. The stability of cell homeostasis is also a critical issue. In the unidirectional transition cascade of colon cells, stem cells (SCs) are the source. They differentiate into transit-amplifying cells (TACs), and TACs differentiate into fully differentiated cells (FDCs). Two differentiation processes are irreversible. The stability factor is introduced so that the noise propagation mechanism from the perspective of stability is studied according to the noise propagation formulas. It is found that the value of the stability factor corresponding to the minimum noise in FDCs may be the best choice to enable colon cells to maintain high stability and low noise of the cascade. Moreover, for the source cell, the total noise only includes intrinsic noise; for the downstream cell with self-proliferation capability, the total noise mainly depends on its intrinsic noise and transmitted noise from upstream cells, and its intrinsic noise is dominant. For the downstream cell without self-proliferation capability, the total noise is mainly determined by transmitted noises from upstream cells, and there is a minimum value. This work provides a new approach for studying the mechanism of noise propagation while considering the stability of cell homeostasis in biological systems.     

Towards a model for electric vehicle noise emission in the European prediction method CNOSSOS-EU

The CNOSSOS-EU method is recommended in Europe for environmental noise prediction. In regards to road traffic, it includes vehicle noise emission models implicitly referring to internal combustion vehicles. The development of electrically driven vehicles calls for the future consideration of these vehicles in prediction models. On the basis of experimental data, the study reported in this paper proposes a noise emission model for extending CNOSSOS-EU to light electric vehicles. Correction terms to be applied to the propulsion noise component are determined. Investigations on a sample of tyres with good rolling resistance performance, which is a main tyre selection criterion on these vehicles, indicated that no correction is required for the rolling noise component. Differences between the noise emission from conventional vehicles and electric vehicles are discussed for several road surfaces. Owing to the limited vehicle sample as well as transitional statements, this new model for electric vehicles running at constant speed over 20 km/h should be considered as a first step towards the definition of this vehicle technology in CNOSSOS-EU.     

A comparative study of different numerical models for predicting train noise in high-rise cities

Large-scale outdoor field measurements were carried out on a residential building to assess the noise levels caused by pass-by trains that run on a nearby viaduct. The experimental results were compared with different schemes for predicting noise from trains. The octave band sound power levels of the train passing by, which are required as input parameters for the Nordic prediction method for train noise (NMT), CSTB 92 and ISO 9613-2 provided in the Mithra software, were determined by an inversion method. The method of calculation of railway noise (CRN) from the UK gives the best agreement with the measured results. The NMT prediction scheme also provides a good prediction of the general trend of the experimental data, but it always overestimates the measured noise levels. As far as the quantitative agreement with experimental data is concerned, the CSTB 92 and ISO 9613-2 prediction schemes are comparatively less satisfactory.     

Influence of strong noise on the decline and propagation of population in the delayed Malthus-Verhulst model

The effects of strong noise on the decline and propagation processes of a population in the Malthus-Verhulst model with time delay are investigated by a stochastic simulation. Time delays in two different processes are concurrent in ecosystems. The simulation results indicate that: The stability of the population is enhanced by the decreasing multiplicative noise intensity and the increasing delay time. The replacement of old individuals with young ones is accelerated by an increasing multiplicative noise intensity, an increasing additive noise intensity and a decreasing delay time. An increasing multiplicative noise intensity will drive the population of species to fluctuate more largely.     

Effects of urban morphology on the traffic noise distribution through noise mapping: A comparative study between UK and China

Due to the rapid urban development and massive population increase in many eastern cities, the difference in urban density and morphology between typical western and eastern cities is becoming significant. This consequently makes the noise distribution in the eastern cities rather different from typical low density European cities. In this research, two representative cities with different urban densities, Greater Manchester in the UK and Wuhan in China, were selected, which have low and high average urban density respectively, and also have considerable differences in building form and traffic pattern. In the mean time, these two cities have similar urban scale and traffic amount. In each city, based on the urban morphological analyses considering urban land-use, building and road density, and noise source distribution, a number of typical urban areas, 500 * 500 m² each, were sampled. A noise-mapping software package was then used to generate generic noise maps, based on existing digital vector maps for terrain and building, and traffic data obtained by on-site measurements. The comparison results show that the average and minimum noise level in Greater Manchester samples is generally higher than that in Wuhan samples, while the maximum noise level in Wuhan samples is mostly higher. By developing a Matlab program, correlations have been analysed between noise distributions and the urban characteristics relating to urban density, such as the road and building coverage ratio. Overall, comparisons between these two typical cities have shown significant effects of urban morphology on the traffic noise distribution.     

A rail noise prediction model for the Tehran-Karaj commuter train

Rail noise prediction models enable consideration of different scenarios for the optimal management of noise prevention and mitigation. This project is aimed at developing an equation that enables computation of L_A,max for the Tehran-Karaj commuter train, a type of Diesel-Electric Locomotive. The form of the proposed model is derived from equations for predicting L_A,max for a single locomotive pass-by, proposed in the manual prepared by Harris Miller Miller & Hanson Inc. for the US Federal Transit Administration, and in the French rail noise prediction model. The algorithm for predicting L_A,max for the Tehran-Karaj commuter train has been developed on the basis of the 50 measurements from 5 locations at distances of 25 m, 35 m, 45 m, 55 m, and 65 m from the centre of the track and at a height of 1.5 m. In the field measurements, the reference distance and the reference vehicle speed have respectively been set equal to 25 m and 80 km per hour. The reference L_A,max, length and the speed correction coefficients have been estimated from the field measurements and have been found to be 86.2 dB(A), 11.3, and 18.4 respectively. The fitness test (Kolmogorov-Smirnov) and regression analysis indicate satisfactory results.     

An alternative form of Hooge's relation for 1/f noise in semiconductor materials

Single quantum dots and other materials exhibit irregular switching between on and off states; these on–off states follow power-law statistics giving rise to 1/f noise. We transfer this phenomenon (also referred to as on–off intermittency) to the generation and recombination (= g–r) process in semiconductor materials. In addition to g–r noise we obtain 1/f noise that can be provided in the form of Hooge's relation. The predicted Hooge coefficient is ${\alpha }_H={\alpha }_X{\alpha }_{im}$ whereby ${\alpha }_X$ depends on the parameters of the g–r noise and ${\alpha }_{im}$ on the parameters of the intermittency. Due to the power-law distribution of the on-times, the coefficient ${\alpha }_{im}$ shows a smooth dependence on time t. We also suggest an alternative form of Hooge's 1/f noise formula relating the 1/f noise to the number of centers (such as donor or trap atoms) rather than to the number of charge carriers as defined by Hooge.     

Dynamics and near-optimal control in a stochastic rumor propagation model incorporating media coverage and Lévy noise

The appearance of rumors intensifies people's panic and affects social stability. How to control the spread of rumors has become an important issue which is worth studying. In order to more accurately reflect the actual situation in the real world, a stochastic model incorporating media coverage and Lévy noise is proposed to describe the dynamic process of rumor propagation. By introducing two control strategies of popular science education and media coverage in an emergency event, an near-optimal control problem that minimizes the influence and control cost of rumor propagation is proposed. Sufficient conditions for near-optimal control of the model are established by using a Hamiltonian function. Then the necessary conditions for near-optimal control are obtained by using the Pontryagin maximum principle. Finally, the effect of popular science education, media coverage and Lévy noise on rumor propagation process control is verified by numerical simulation.     

A boundary element method for the calculation of noise barrier insertion loss in the presence of atmospheric turbulence

Atmospheric turbulence is an important factor that limits the amount of attenuation a barrier can provide in the outdoor environment. It is therefore important to develop a reliable method to predict its effect on barrier performance. The boundary element method (BEM) has been shown to be a very effective technique for predicting barrier insertion loss in the absence of turbulence. This paper develops a simple and efficient modification of the BEM formulation to predict the insertion loss of a barrier in the presence of atmospheric turbulence. The modification is based on two alternative methods: (1) random realisations of log-amplitude and phase fluctuations of boundary sources and (2) de-correlation of source coherence using the mutual coherence function (MCF). An investigation into the behaviours of these two methods is carried out and simplified forms of the methods developed. Some systematic differences between the predictions from the methods are found. When incorporated into the BEM formulation, the method of random realisations and the method of MCF de-correlation provide predictions that agree well with predictions by the parabolic equation method and by the scattering cross-section method on a variety of thin barrier configurations.     

森林环境电波传播抛物方程模型的改进研究

将森林看成空气和植物组成的混合物, 应用两相混合物折射模型求解了森林的等效介电常数, 通过与实验结果的对比, 验证了该模型的正确性. 将该森林介电常数求解方法引入到抛物方程的森林模型中, 改进了抛物方程的森林模型. 相对于传统的森林环境电波传播模型, 该模型能考虑森林各组成要素对电波传播的影响, 更适合于实际不同地区、不同种类植物分布的森林环境中电波传播特性的求解. 此外, 引入了非均匀网格技术, 有效提高了大区域森林环境中电波传播问题的求解效率.最后基于该模型仿真分析了森林的植物体积含量、重量含水量等要素对电波传播特性的影响. 关键词： 森林 抛物方程 非均匀网格 电波传播     

A simple analytic model for noise shaping by an optical fiber Raman generator

An analytic model for first Stokes–Raman generation in optical fiber is used to evaluate the relative importance of quantum initiation noise and amplified classical pump noise in recent experiments on noise shaping. The model accounts for pump depletion and for fluctuations arising from the spontaneous generation of the first Stokes pulse, but not for scattering into higher-order Stokes pulses. The model reproduces the qualitative features of the measured first Stokes pulse energy statistics using realistic parameter values.     

An anisotropic model for frequency analysis of arterial walls with the wave propagation approach

An anisotropic model for calculating natural frequency of arterial walls is proposed in this paper. The first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is used for the arterial walls, and the wave propagation approach is applied that can easily handle the boundary conditions. Results obtained using this model have been evaluated against those available in the literature and the agreement has been found to be good. Experiments were carried out on a natural rubber latex tube. The relative differences of the first four natural frequencies between the experiment and the theory are less than 7%. The variation of the natural frequency of this tube with the longitudinal and circumferential modes m and n is studied which suggests the first four natural frequencies are with n = 1 and m = 1-4. Simulations show that classical Donnell’s, Love’s and beam theories are not suitable for this thick tube while FSDT results closely agree with the experiment. The anisotropy of circumferential elastic modulus on natural frequencies of the tube is analyzed.     

Noise impact assessment by utilizing noise map and GIS: A case study in the city of Chungju, Republic of Korea

In this study, a scheme to develop a noise map and noise impact assessment method using GIS has been suggested. After developing a road-traffic noise map for the city of Chungju, Republic of Korea, noise impact assessment was performed through analyzing the map. A 3-dimensional terrain model was generated using digital maps and building models were prepared using the information from draft and digital maps. To develop a noise evaluation model, a noise-source map for each road was generated. The noise levels at 25 locations close to roads were measured and compared with the expected noise levels to verify the developed noise map. An excess noise map was generated by comparing the road-traffic noise map with a noise-standard map. Using the excess noise map, the areas exceeding environmental noise standards were effectively evaluated through a GIS space analysis. The 3-dimensional facade noise map was generated to calculate the number of people exposed to a certain noise level.     

纳米器件电流噪声的散射理论统一模型研究

传统散射理论在研究器件噪声特性时,并没有考虑非相干输运和库仑作用对散粒噪声的抑制,而在实际纳米器件中这两种效应不可忽略.本文基于散射区等效接触端模型推导了考虑上述两种效应的电流噪声散射理论统一模型,该模型适用于从相干输运到非相干输运的整个输运区,并同时考虑了泡利不相容原理和库仑作用对散粒噪声的抑制.本文也提出了一种基于统一模型的电流噪声数值模拟方法,该方法所得散射区特性与散射区等效接触端模型特性一致. 关键词： 电流噪声 散射理论 统一模型     

Superluminal propagation and information transfer: A statistical approach in the microwave domain

Signal velocity is calculated in a medium with negative group delay (NGD). By accounting for the medium and the detector noise sources, the time varying probability of error at the detector [Pe(t)$\mathit{Pe}(t)$] is evaluated in the NGD channel and a normal dispersion channel. The scheme in which Pe(t)$\mathit{Pe}(t)$ falls below a threshold at earlier time, implies faster information transfer. It is found that the signal velocity depends on the detector type and the relative noise strength of the detector with respect to the channel. Finally, it is shown that NGD channels can be useful in applications that are limited by the detector noise.     

A new empirical model for the acoustic properties of loose granular media

This paper examines physical parameters of loose granular mixes and their empirical relations to the acoustic performance of these mixes. In this work a new classification of granular media has been proposed which is related to the characteristic particle dimension and the specific density of the grain base. It has been shown that this classification is a useful characteristic for rapid evaluation of the acoustic performance of loose granular mixes. The characteristic impedance and propagation constant have been measured for a representative selection of grain mixes and used to develop a new empirical model. This model relates the above acoustic characteristics to the characteristic particle dimension, porosity, tortuosity and specific density of the grain base, which are routinely measurable parameters. A very good agreement with the experimental data is illustrated in the frequency range of 250-4000 Hz for materials with the grain base of 0.4-3.5 mm and specific densities between 200 and 1200 kg/m³. Unlike many theoretical models for the prediction of the acoustic properties of porous media, the proposed expressions do not involve any special functions of complex argument, empirical shape factors or sophisticated characteristics of porous structure. These are practical enough to be of interest to acoustic and noise control engineers and material manufacturers.     

Escape statistics for systems driven by dichotomous noise. II. The imperfect pitchfork bifurcation as a case study

We use the general results for the escape probabilities and mean exit times obtained in an accompanying paper to analyze in detail a nonlinear system presenting an imperfect (subcritical) pitchfork bifurcation. We redraw the bifurcation diagram to show the effect of the noise. To avoid spurious results we introduce the concept ofextinction level as the minimum possible value for the system, and discuss its effect on the bifurcation diagram.