Duration of whole-body vibration exposure its effect on comfort

Most human response to vibration standards imply that low vibration levels are acceptable for longer periods than higher levels. In such standards it is usually assumed that the relationship between exposure duration and vibration level is of a similar form for a wide range of different types of motion. The experiment described in this paper was conducted to determine whether the relative discomfort produced by 4 Hz and 16 Hz sinusoidal whole-body vertical (a_z) vibration was dependent on the duration of the vibration exposure.Each of eight seated subjects was exposed to two 36-minute vibration sessions. Both sessions consisted of ten-second periods of 4 Hz and 16 Hz vibration alternating continuously. In one session the 4 Hz motion was set at the “standard” level of 0·75 m/s² r.m.s. while the level of the 46 Hz “test” motion could be adjusted by the subjects. In the other session the 16 Hz motion was the standard at 0·75 m/sl r.m.s. and the level of the 4 Hz motion could be adjusted. The subjects were required to control the intensity of the test motion to compensate for periodic changes in its intensity made by the experimenter and so to maintain it at a level which produced similar discomfort to that caused by the standard motion.It was found that the relationship between the average levels of the two motions when adjusted to produce similar discomfort was independent of the vibration duration. The findings are discussed in relation to other laboratory research and the need for a better understanding of the effects of the duration of a vibration on its acceptability.     

Assessing the discomfort of dual-axis whole-body vibration

This paper reports on an experiment designed to provide information fundamental to the prediction of the discomfort of multi-axis vibration. Seated subjects were exposed to various level and phase combinations of 3·15 Hz vertical (a_z) and 3·15 Hz lateral (a_y) sinusoidal vibration. One part of the experiment determined the levels of two single-axis vibrations (a_zanda_y separately) which produced similar discomfort to a selection of dual-axis vibrations. In another part of the experiment subjects adjusted the level of a 3·15 Hz motion in one of the two axes to produced similar discomfort to each of seven levels of the same frequency in the other axis.It was concluded that for dual-axis motions of the type investigated the discomfort is not greatly influenced by the phase between the two single-axis components producing the motion. Thus, the discomfort caused by the circular motion given by the combinations of the two sinusoidal components differing in phase by 90 degrees is similar to that caused by the translational motion produced by the same components combined with zero phase shift. The results confirm that a meaningful estimate of the relative discomfort produced by dual-axis stimuli can be determined from the levels of a single-axis reference motion appropriately adjusted by subjects. The level of a single-axis motion giving similar discomfort to each of the dual-axis conditions in the experiment was well approximated by the root-mean-square of the two levels of this single-axis motion equivalent to the two separate components of each dual-axis motion.     

Dynamic properties of the human head

Driving point mechanical impedance measurements were used to determine the dynamic response of the human head to sinusoidal vibration in the frequency range between 30 Hz and 5000 Hz at excitation levels of 0·98 m/s² and 3·4 m/s2. Because of the low excitation levels, the weight of the head was sufficient to couple the head to the vibration source.At 20 Hz the impedance magnitude was about 790 N-s/m but increased at approximately 6dB/octave to a peak near 3500 N-s/m at 70–90 Hz. Between 100 Hz and 2000 Hz impedance decreased by about two orders of magnitude while the apparent mass decreased by three orders of magnitude indicating good vibration isolation at higher frequencies. The impedance response contains the information for modelling the head as a dynamic system.The response of the head to vibration can be simulated by a two degree-of-freedom, mass-excited system consisting of a series connection of a small driving mass, a damper, a spring and damper in parallel and a large final mass. Parameter values, derived by computer techniques, suggest that the large mass represents the total head, the small mass the tissue in contact with the vibration input and the spring the skull stiffness.     

Description of a coherent light technique to detect the tangential and radial vibrations of an arch dam

This paper describes a technique in which a laser light vibration sensor based on a Michelson interferometer is used. With a 5 mW laser the instrument will make measurements on a moving target at ranges greater than 200 m without using retro-reflective materials. Careful optimization of the electro-optic design reduces the effects of environmental disturbances and allows vibration amplitude resolution of 0·2 μm with a flat response in the bandwidth 0·1–150 Hz. Field tests and actual measurements of the radial and tangential displacements of an arch dam are shown.     

调频连续波分布式光纤布拉格光栅复用系统

研究了利用调频连续波(FMCW)技术对分布式光纤布拉格光栅(FBG)复用系统进行寻址的基本原理;仿真分析了FBG传感器复用距离是系统最小分辨距离的整数倍或非整数倍时,对频谱信号的影响;搭建了基于FMCW的FBG复用系统实验平台,当传感距离1000m时,分别验证了不同扫描周期与复用系统差频信号的线性关系,及不同扫频范围与系统差频信号的线性关系。实验结果表明:FBG复用距离是系统最小分辨距离整数倍时,在测量距离1100 m范围内,系统测量最大误差为243 Hz,最大相对误差小于5%,可以实现FBG传感器的地址查询功能。     

Magnetic resonance elastography of the supraspinatus muscle: A preliminary study on test-retest repeatability and wave quality with different frequencies and image filtering

The purpose of this study was to determine an optimal condition (vibration frequency and image filtering) for stiffness estimation with high accuracy and stiffness measurement with high repeatability in magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) of the supraspinatus muscle. Nine healthy volunteers underwent two MRE exams separated by at least a 30 min break, on the same day. MRE acquisitions were performed with a gradient-echo type multi-echo MR sequence at 75, 100, and 125 Hz pneumatic vibration. Wave images were processed by a bandpass filter or filter combining bandpass and directional filters (bandpass-directional filter). An observer specified the region of interest (ROI) on clear wave propagation in the supraspinatus muscle, within which the observer measured the stiffness. This study assessed wave image quality according to two indices, as a substitute for the assessment of the accuracy of the stiffness estimation. One is the size of the clear wave propagation area (ROI size used to measure the stiffness) and the other is the qualitative stiffness resolution score in that area. These measurements made by the observer were repeated twice at least one month apart after each MRE exam.This study assessed the intra-examiner and observer repeatability of the stiffness value, ROI size and resolution score in each combination of vibration frequency and image filter. Repeatability of the data was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% limits-of-agreement (LOA) in Bland-Altman analysis. The analyses on intra-examiner and observer repeatability of stiffness indicated that the ICC and 95% LOA were not varied greatly depending on vibration frequency and image filter (intra-examiner repeatability, ICC range, 0.79 to 0.88; 95% LOA range, ±23.95 to ±32.42%, intra-observer repeatability, ICC range, 0.98 to 1.00; 95% LOA range, ±5.10 to ±10.99%). In the analyses on intra-examiner repeatability of ROI size, ICCs were rather low (ranging from: 0.03 to 0.69) while 95% LOA was large in all the combinations of vibration frequency and image filter (ranging from: ±62.66 to ±83.33%). In the analyses on intra-observer repeatability of ROI size, ICCs were sufficiently high in the total combination of vibration frequency and image filter (ranging from 0.80 to 0.87) while the 95% LOAs were better (lower) in the bandpass-directional filter than the bandpass filter (bandpass directional filter vs. bandpass filter, ±28.81 vs. ±54.83% at 75 Hz; ±25.63 vs. ±37.83% at 100 Hz; ±34.51 vs. ±43.36% at 125 Hz). In the analyses on intra-examiner and observer repeatability of resolution score, the mean difference (bias) between the two exams (or observations) was significantly low and there was almost no difference across all the combinations of vibration frequency and image filter (range of bias: −0.11–0.11 and −0.17–0.00, respectively).Additionally, effects of vibration frequency and image filter on wave image quality (ROI size and resolution score) were assessed separately in each exam. Both mean ROI size and resolution score in the bandpass-directional filter were larger than those in the bandpass filter. Among the data in the bandpass-directional filter, mean ROI size was larger at 75 and 100 Hz, and mean resolution score was larger at 100 and 125 Hz. Taking into consideration with the results of repeatability and wave image quality, the present results suggest that optimal vibration frequency and image filter for MRE of the supraspinatus muscles is 100 Hz and bandpass-directional filter, respectively.     

EVALUATION OF FREQUENCY WEIGHTING (ISO 2631-1) FOR ACUTE EFFECTS OF WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION ON GASTRIC MOTILITY

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) and the ISO 2631/1-1997 frequency weighting on gastric motility. The gastric motility was measured by electrogastrography (EGG) in nine healthy volunteers. Sinusoidal vertical vibration at a frequency of 4, 6·3, 8, 12, 16, 31·5, or 63 Hz was given to the subjects for 10 min. The magnitude of exposure at 4 Hz was 1·0m/s² (r.m.s.). The magnitudes of the other frequencies gave the same frequency-weighted acceleration according to ISO 2631/1-1997. The pattern of the dominant frequency histogram (DFH) was changed to a broad distribution pattern by vibration exposure. Vibration exposure had the effect of significantly reducing the percentage of time for which the dominant component had a normal rhythm and increasing the percentage of time for which there was tachygastria (p<0·05). Vibration exposure generally reduced the mean percentage of time with the dominant frequency in normal rhythm component. There was a significant difference between the condition of no vibration and exposure to 4 and 6·3 Hz of vibration frequency (p<0·05). The frequency weighting curve given in ISO 2631/1-1997 was not adequate for use in evaluating the physiological effects of WBV exposure on gastric motility.     

电力变压器绕组振动声纹特性分析*

为更加准确分析变压器绕组的状态特征,本文提出一种基于多物理场耦合仿真的变压器绕组振动声纹特性分析方法。根据实验条件,建立变压器绕组振动噪声模型,考虑变压器绝缘油在噪声传播过程中的作用,对S13-M-200/10型号的油浸式变压器进行短路实验,测量油箱表面的振动加速度以及周围空间的声音信号。仿真结果与实测数据对比分析,油箱表面的振动加速度集中频率为100Hz,空间声音信号集中频率为100Hz和200Hz,验证仿真模型的有效性。最后,建立变压器机械故障的仿真模型,分析得到变压器发生机械故障时,声音信号中100Hz频率分量减少,200Hz频率分量增加,为变压器绕组故障诊断提供依据。     

Apparent mass of the human body in the vertical direction: Inter-subject variability

The biodynamic responses of the seated human body to whole-body vibration vary considerably between people, but the reasons for the variability are not well understood. This study was designed to determine how the physical characteristics of people affect their apparent mass and whether inter-subject variability is influenced by the magnitude of vibration and the support of a seat backrest. The vertical apparent masses of 80 seated adults (41 males and 39 females aged 18-65) were measured at frequencies between 0.6 and 20 Hz with four backrest conditions (no backrest, upright rigid backrest, reclined rigid backrest, reclined foam backrest) and with three magnitudes of random vibration (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m s^-2 rms). Relationships between subject physical characteristics (age, gender, weight, and anthropometry) and subject apparent mass were investigated with multiple regression models. The strongest predictor of the modulus of the vertical apparent mass at 0.6 Hz, at resonance, and at 12 Hz was body weight, with other factors having only a marginal effect. After correction for other variables, the principal resonance frequency was most consistently associated with age and body mass index. As age increased from 18 to 65 years, the resonance frequency increased by up to 1.7 Hz, and when the body mass index was increased from 18 to 34 kg m⁻² the resonance frequency decreased by up to 1.7 Hz. These changes were greater than the 0.9-Hz increase in resonance frequency between sitting without a backrest and sitting with a reclined rigid backrest, and greater than the 1.0-Hz reduction in resonance frequency when the magnitude of vibration increased from 0.5 to 1.5 m s⁻² rms. It is concluded that the effects of age, body mass index, posture, vibration magnitude, and weight should be taken into account when defining the vertical apparent mass of the seated human body.     

The effect of intensity on the localization of different acoustical stimuli in the vertical plane

Two experiments have been carried out to investigate the effects of using different stimuli, various intensities, and repeated stimulus presentation on the ability to localize sounds in the vertical plane. It was found that noise can be localized more accurately than a speech stimulus. Increasing the sensation level of the stimulus reduces localizational errors up to a sensation level of 70 dB, where the error appears to reach a plateau at about 3·5°. There is little or no apparent learning process involved in the task of auditory localization.     

Some effects of a combined noise and vibration environment on a mental arithmetic task

Three experiments were conducted, with broad band noise and whole-body vibration used as stressors both separately and in combination. The three experiments related to three levels of vibration (0·6, 0·8 and 1·2 m/s² r.m.s.). In each experiment the intensity of vibration was set at the specified value and the noise intensity for each subject was set at a value subjectively judged to be of equal intensity to the vibration offered. Subjects in each experiment performed an arithmetic task that was designed to minimize any direct mechanical interference from the stressors. The results are unusual in that significant reductions in performance were observed at quite low intensities of both noise and vibration. For the single stressor situations performance was reduced significantly compared with the control condition at the highest stressor level. At lower stressor levels, the effects were more varied and included some improvements in performance. However, there was a constancy in performance in the combined-stressor conditions such that performance did not vary significantly from that found in the control conditions.     

基于希尔伯特变化的微小振动激光多普勒信号处理

为了实现对固体目标微小振动参数的测量,建立了微小振动的激光多普勒信号模型。采用希尔伯特数字运算,将激光多普勒振动信号的即时信号采样转化为信号的谱采样。通过频谱计算得到每个振动周期中瞬时频率的平均数,应用差值采样序列积分计算得到振动频率,最后根据振动信号频率变化与振幅的关系得到振幅。采用希尔伯特方法对实验测试结果进行处理验证,并分析了误差来源。实验结果表明：实验测量目标的振动振幅约为1.85×10-4m,转动的圆频率约为170 Hz。因此,应用希尔伯特变换方法处理测量的目标微小振动信号,获取目标运动的参数是可行的。     

On the frequency content of the surface vibration of a diesel engine

The results of an experimental investigation into the narrow band frequency content of the surface vibration of a particular four cylinder, water-cooled, indirect injection diesel engine are described. The long term objective, of which the work reported here is a part, is the reduction of noise emission at source. Noise is radiated from the engine as a result of surface vibration. The characteristics of surface vibration are described and an explanation is given of why the discrete frequency response of the engine has hitherto appeared to be broad band nature. The relationship of the pure tone response to the combustion pressure spectrum is also described. The vibration of the engine side wall has the greatest amplitude in the frequency band 2·9-3·8 kHz, irrespective of engine speed and load, which could be a result of piston slap. The vibration of the crankcase skirt, in contrast, is more or less uniform throughout the frequency range 0–5 kHz, reflecting the great difficulty in achieving a significant reduction in the overall level at this location. The low frequency pressure spectrum is shown to have roughly a 47 dB/decade decline in amplitude with frequency below 800 Hz, in comparison with an oft-quoted figure of 30 dB/decade. Significant differences between no load and half load pressure spectra are shown to exist.     

The vibration of inclined backrests: perception and discomfort of vibration applied normal to the back in the x-axis of the body

The vibration of backrests contributes to the discomfort of drivers and passengers. A frequency weighting exists for evaluating the vibration of vertical backrests but not for reclined backrests often used during travel. This experimental study was designed to determine how backrest inclination and the frequency of vibration influence perception thresholds and vibration discomfort when the vibration is applied normal to the back (i.e. fore-and-aft vibration when seated upright and vertical vibration when fully reclined). Twelve subjects experienced the vibration of a backrest (at each of the 11 preferred one-third octave centre frequencies in the range 2.5–25 Hz) at vibration magnitudes from the threshold of perception to 24 dB above threshold. Initially, absolute thresholds for the perception of vibration were determined with four backrest inclinations: 0° (upright), 30°, 60° and 90° (recumbent). The method of magnitude estimation was then used to obtain judgements of vibration discomfort with each of the four backrest angles. Finally, the relative discomfort between the four backrest angles, and the principal locations for feeling vibration discomfort in the body, were determined. With all backrest inclinations, absolute thresholds for the perception of vibration acceleration were dependent on the frequency of vibration. As the backrest inclination became more horizontal, the thresholds increased at frequencies between 4 and 8 Hz. For all backrest inclinations, the rate of growth of discomfort with increasing magnitude of vibration was independent of the frequency of vibration, so the frequency-dependence of discomfort was similar over the range of magnitudes investigated (0.04–0.6 m s^?2 rms). With an upright backrest, the discomfort caused by vibration acceleration tended to be greatest at frequencies less than about 8 Hz. With inclined backrests (at 30°, 60°, and 90°), the equivalent comfort contours were broadly similar to each other, with greatest discomfort caused by acceleration around 10 or 12.5 Hz. At frequencies from 4 to 8 Hz, 30–40 percent greater magnitudes of vibration were required with the three inclined backrests to cause discomfort equivalent to that caused by the upright backrest. It is concluded that with an upright backrest the frequency weighting W_c used in current standards is appropriate for predicting the discomfort caused by fore-and-aft backrest vibration. With inclined and horizontal backrests, a weighting similar to frequency weighting W_b (used to predict discomfort caused by vertical seat vibration) appears more appropriate.     

Self-Reinforced High-Density Polyethylene Prepared by Low-Frequency,Vibration-Assisted Injection Molding. 1. Processing Conditions and Physical Properties

Using a low-frequency, vibration-assisted injection molding (VAIM) device, the effects of vibration variables (frequency and amplitude) on mechanical properties and thermal softening temperature of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) injection moldings were investigated. For VAIM-processed samples, the mechanical properties can be improved by changing vibration frequency and vibration pressure amplitude. Injected at a constant vibration pressure amplitude, a low range of frequency (below 0.7 Hz) was favorable for increasing yield strength; in the high range of frequency (0.7 Hz < f < 2.33 Hz) the yield strength remained at a plateau. Injected at a constant frequency (0.7 Hz) the yield strength increased sharply with decreased elongation when applying large vibration pressure amplitude. The maximal yield strength and Young's modulus were 60.6 MPa and 2.1 GPa for a VAIM sample compared with 39.8 MPa and 1.0 GPa for a conventional injection-molded (CIM) sample, respectively; there was also a 10°C increase in Vicat softening point temperature.     

A study of the subjective equivalence of noise and whole-body vibration

An experiment has been conducted to determine the subjective equivalence of 1000 Hz pure tone noise and 10 Hz sinusoidal whole-body vertical vibration. Each of 20 male subjects was exposed to all 64 possible combinations of 8 levels of noise (65 dB to 100 dB SPL) and 8 levels of vibration (0·20 m/s² r.m.s. to 1·2 m/s² r.m.s.). The noise was presented via circumaural headphones and the vibration exposure was by means of a flat hard seat. The method of constant stimuli was used. Both stimuli were presented simultaneously for a period of ten seconds and subjects were asked to indicate whether, if they were to be presented with the combination again, they would prefer that the noise or the vibration should be reduced.It was concluded that the subjects were relatively self-consistent and that the major source of variability was due to intersubject differences. The conditions for equivalence for 50% of the subjects ranged from about 0·2 m/s² r.m.s. at 69 dB to 1·2 m/s² r.m.s. at 94 dB. The results are presented in a form that enables an estimate to be made of the percentage of subjects who prefer reduced noise or vibration at any of the given combinations of the two stimuli. Further studies to extend the range and establish the general applicability of these results are suggested. It is considered that such results could be employed as a guide to reducing either the noise or the vibration in some environments.     

变压器典型工作环境对声功率测量结果的影响

变压器两侧常建有高大的防火墙,其从声学角度可视为刚性反射壁面,会改变变压器的辐射声场,进而影响变压器声功率测量结果。本文利用有限元、边界元等数值计算方法建立了变压器声辐射的仿真模型用以分析反射壁面对变压器声功率测量结果的影响,并通过实际测量验证了仿真计算所得结论。结果表明,反射壁面对变压器声功率测量结果的影响程度随反射壁面到变压器箱体距离增加而减弱,且当反射壁面距变压器箱体5 m以上时,其对变压器声功率基频及各谐波成份测量结果的影响均在2 dB以内。另外反射壁面对变压器噪声高频成份声功率测量结果的影响较大,而对100 Hz、200 Hz等低频成份测量结果影响较小,基本低于3 dB。     

Attenuation of flexural vibration for floating floor and floating box induced by ground vibration

This paper investigates the vibration isolation performance of floating floor and floating box structures to control rail vibration transmission. Simple theoretical and experimental methods are developed to analyze the effects of stiffener beam, mass and arrangement of isolator on the fundamental natural frequency of the flexural vibration of floating floor and box structure.The vibration reduction performances of floating floor and box structure are found to be degraded by flexural vibration of the floor or supporting stiffener beam. From the results of vibration measurements; stiffener beams increase the fundamental natural frequency of flexural vibration of floating floor and enhance vibration isolation. Also they can further alleviate the effect of flexural vibration using optimum isolator arrangement effectively. The proposed floating box design achieved a vibration reduction of 15-30 dB in frequency region of critical rail vibration (30-200 Hz).     

Some experimental data for the design of acoustic arrays

The frequency spectra of resonant vibration of a PZT4 piezoelectric plate was observed, for width-to-thickness ratios ranging from 0·3 to 4·0. The results give useful information for the design of line arrays applicable, for example, to medical diagnostic sonars. The effect of backing and impedance matching on PZT4 ceramic slabs was also studied experimentally.