Sound intensity investigation of the acoustics performances of high insulation ventilating windows integrated with rolling shutter boxes

High sound insulation ventilating windows (HSIVW) were recently proposed for noise control in buildings close to motorways or railways, where noise barriers are not effective or too expensive. These windows are characterized by good insulation performances and at the same time allow airflow through the window itself; such a performance matches summer indoor ventilation and refreshment needs.In the last years at the Acoustics Laboratory of the University of Perugia various prototypes were tested and their acoustic and airflow performances were assessed, also verifying the influence of filtering systems in the aerator.In the present paper a lot of experimental data are presented and in particular the results of a recent campaign, aimed at testing windows samples integrated with insulated rolling shutter boxes are presented. Sound reduction index R and single number sound reduction index R_w are evaluated, considering different exercise conditions; acoustic intensity measurements and analysis have also been performed, in order to verify the parts of the window which need to be optimized.     

An analytical model to evaluate the cocktail party effect in restaurant dining rooms: A case study

This paper proposes the use of a simplified analytical model to evaluate acoustic conditions in restaurant dining rooms required for ensuring the intelligibility of conversations. The model is useful for design applications and is suitable for evaluating the maximum number of speakers present in a restaurant room in order to ensure intelligibility of conversations taking place at each table in the presence of background noise caused by conversations at other tables. The maximum number of speakers is studied in relation to the sound level difference between useful and disturbing sound, sound absorption of the room, and the average speaker–listener distance. The model is applied to the case of a dining hall in a multipurpose centre, which is currently in the planning stage.     

Indoor noise reduction index with open window

Indoor noise is mainly caused by road and railway traffic, especially in summer time due to open windows. The presence of absorbent ceilings can help to reduce reverberating noise and the global mean acoustic level. The aim of this work is to define an index to evaluate the indoor noise reduction index (NRI) with open window; it is a function of the acoustic absorption coefficient of the room ceiling. It is evaluated by measurements in two reverberating rooms, which simulate the real conditions. In the emission room a noise source reproduces the road and railway noise. In the receiving room a microphone measures the noise level and its spectrum; the ceiling is treated with different absorption materials. A comparison between the values in absence and in presence of different materials and an evaluation of NRI are carried out. Experimental results are generalised and a theoretical expression of NRI is given.     

Investigation on Noise Pollution Comprehensive Treatment of Distribution Transformer in Living Area

In the current paper, which deals with the noise pollution excited by distribution transformers in the living area, a comprehensive treatment scheme is put forward for the purpose of reducing the sound pressure level emitting into the environment. In accordance with the associated test standard, the sound pressure levels of distribution transformer and surrounding environment are not only tested but analyzed as well. The measurements were carried out with the frequency analysis of the 1/3 octave resolution, with the center frequencies at 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 400 Hz, and 500 Hz. As illustrated, on the basis of the measurement results, the frequency of noise at 500 Hz of distribution transformer causes the major noise pollution in the surrounding environment. This measurement result is in line with the noise frequency characteristics of distribution transformer. There are two transmission routes of noise: i) the noise excited by distribution transformer transmits by means of the wall of distribution room, and ii) part of noise spreads through the ground of distribution room. Accordingly, acoustic shield and vibration isolation device are applied for the reduction of the low frequency noise emitted through the above two paths. Aimed at applying the appropriate acoustic material and vibration mounting, the evaluation of the noise reduction and vibration absorption is carried out in accordance with the sound and vibration insulation theory. Following the noise treatment, the transformer and environment noise are measured again. The corresponding findings shed light on the fact that the sound level satisfied the requirement of limits of the ordinance. The proposed noise treatment scheme can be applied to the existing power distribution facilities for controlling the sound levels that reach a point where it is comparatively more unobjectionable.     

主变室外部声场分布主要影响因素对比研究——以220kV户内变电站为例*

为了解决城市户内变电站噪声对环境的影响问题,研究户内变电站主变室外噪声分布状况,该文采用RAYNOISE软件对220 k V户内变电站不同类型的门窗和进风口进行模拟分析,主变室内放置1台主变压器。模拟结果显示,是否设置隔声门对室外声场的影响不大,而消声百叶对室外声场的影响较大,比普通百叶的降噪效果高3～4 d B;同时设置隔声门和消声百叶的降噪效果比普通百叶和金属门高5～6 d B。该文通过一系列的模拟计算,推导出了户内变电站主变室外部三维空间的噪声预测模型,以期为变电站的噪声控制和改造工程提供科学指导和技术支持。     

Noise attenuation in factories

The cost of reducing noise levels in factories by covering large surfaces with sound absorbents is high. It is therefore important to be able to calculate in advance the effectiveness of absorbents and to determine how absorbents may be chosen and distributed for maximal noise reduction for the invested capital. For this purpose a mathematical model of sound propagation and attenuation in factories has been developed on certain simplifying assumptions. The interrelationship between the different parameters is found to be rather intricate and the mathematical model must be evaluated using a computer program. The influence on the noise levels of sound scattering objects, the shape and size of the factory and absorbents on the room surfaces have been studied. Especially if the ceiling is high, acoustic baffles are found to be more efficient than absorbents on the ceiling in reducing noise levels.     

An experimental study on the effect of rolling shutters and shutter boxes on the airborne sound insulation of windows

The façade of a room is usually composed of different construction elements, one of which is the window. This fulfils both an aesthetic function and closes the wall opening. In order to improve thermal behaviour and control solar radiation, the window is fitted with different protection features, such as the shutter. In climate zones with many hours of sunlight, windows in residential buildings commonly incorporate a rolling shutter. Traffic noise and higher standards of energy saving, comfort, durability and sustainability in buildings means that windows now have to comply with stricter requirements, including their sound insulation from airborne noise. This work contains a summary of studies carried out on the sound insulation from airborne noise in several types of windows (double side-hung casement and double horizontal sliding sash) with built-on shutter and prefabricated box. For each type of window, an analysis was made of the effects of the interior finishings in the shutter box, the shutter position (whether fully retracted or extended) and the weighted sound reduction index of windows for traffic noise in accordance with EN ISO 717-1.     

Interior noise control with an active window system

An active window system to reduce the exterior noise sources, such as traffic noise and construction noise which enter rooms through open windows used for natural ventilation is proposed. The proposed system uses a feedforward control method for active noise control so as not to place the sensors and control sources inside the interior space of the building. For global noise reduction throughout the interior room, the control gains for feedforward control are calculated to minimize the total acoustic power of the new source, which is combined with the noise source corresponding to the open window and control sources on the window frame. The performance of the proposed system for directional exterior noise is confirmed with a scale-model experiment. The experimental results show that the proposed system can achieve a noise reduction of up to 10 dB for the entire room of the scale model regardless of the direction of the incident wave.     

The transmission of sound by ventilation ducts—A design guide

It has recently been shown that for situations in which two rooms are connected by a ventilation duct, the principal acoustic path from one room to the adjacent room is that via the duct cavity. As existing theories were found to be inadequate in predicting this path noise reduction, experiments have been carried out to determine the values of the unknown variables. These are described and a design guide for determining the overall noise reduction of the system has been produced.     

Effects of unattended speech on performance and subjective distraction: The role of acoustic design in open-plan offices

Unattended background speech is a known source of cognitive and subjective distraction in open-plan offices. This study investigated whether the deleterious effects of background speech can be affected by room acoustic design that decreases speech intelligibility, as measured by the Speech Transmission Index (STI). The experiment was conducted in an open-plan office laboratory (84 m²) in which four acoustic conditions were physically built. Three conditions contained background speech. A quiet condition was included for comparison. The speech conditions differed in terms of the degree of absorption, screen height, desk isolation, and the level of masking sound. The speech sounds simulated an environment where phone conversations are heard from different locations varying in distance. Ninety-eight volunteers were tested. The presence of background speech had detrimental effects on the subjective perceptions of noise effects and on cognitive performance in short-term memory and working memory tasks. These effects were not attenuated nor amplified within a three-hour working period. The reduction of the STI by room acoustic means decreased subjective disturbance, whereas the effects on cognitive performance were somewhat smaller than expected. The effects of room acoustic design on subjective distraction were stronger among noise-sensitive subjects, suggesting that they benefited more from acoustic improvements than non-sensitive subjects. The results imply that reducing the STI is beneficial for performance and acoustic satisfaction especially regarding speech coming from more distant desks. However, acoustic design does not sufficiently decrease the distraction caused by speech from adjacent desks.     

Numerical studies on venting system with multi-chamber perforated mufflers by GA optimization

Research on new techniques of perforated silencers has been well addressed and developed; however, the research work in shape optimization for a volume-constrained silence requested upon the demands of operation and maintenance inside a constrained machine room is rare. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to not only analyze the sound transmission loss of a multi-chamber perforated muffler but also to optimize the best design shape under space-constrained condition.In this paper, both the generalized decoupling technique and plane wave theory are used. The four-pole system matrix in evaluating the acoustic performance of sound transmission loss (STL) is also deduced in conjunction with a genetic algorithm (GA). To demonstrate the precision of the tuning ability in a muffler, various targeted pure tones are proposed in numerical cases. Results reveal that the maximal acoustical performance precisely occurred in the desired frequency. Furthermore, a noise reduction with respect to full-band exhausted noise emitted from a diesel engine is also introduced and assessed. To achieve a better optimization in GA, several test parameter values were used. Before a GA operation can be carried out, the accuracy of the mathematical models have to be checked by experimental data.The optimal result in eliminating full-band noise reveals that the overall noise reduction of a multi-chamber muffler can achieve 68 dB under space-constraint conditions. Consequently, the approach used for the optimal design of the STL proposed in this study is indeed easy, economical and quite effective.     

薄膜型声学超材料对低频振动的隔声特性分析

高效共振混合机工作频率为60 Hz,且系统处于共振,产生较大低频噪声。针对振动机械产生的有害噪声,分析了高效共振混合机低频高加速度共振混合过程的特点,得到了60 Hz低频声波穿透力强的特点,相比传统的以吸声材料构建的50～100 mm厚度、隔声效果小于10 dB的隔声罩,分析了薄膜型声学超材料在低频减振降噪中的隔声特性。通过多物理场仿真分析,60 Hz时隔声量为31.4 dB,确定了硅橡胶弹性薄膜的预应力和质量块的面密度;采用3D打印机快速成型技术,构建了隔声实验装置,分析了独立隔声单元、面密度、薄膜尺寸等隔声特性规律。基于人耳在实际环境中感受到的噪声强度,提出了噪声衰减量和插入损失的分析方法,在距离声源380 mm和1000 mm的位置,60 Hz时隔声量分别为27 dB和38 dB。研究成果丰富了低频隔声特性理论,为薄膜型声学超材料的工程设计和优化提供了技术支撑。     

Optimized Modular Design of Acoustic Metamaterials: Targeted Noise Attenuation

A modular design optimization method for acoustic metamaterial cells is proposed, which can ensure satisfying the targeted noise attenuation by using only the objective function of an arbitrary noise source and the constraints of the application at hand. The core algorithm is a fusion of the generalized particle swarm algorithm and wave finite element method specialized for structural and targeted optimization of metamaterials. The output is the optimized metamaterial cell and its sound barrier structure. The desired noise reduction performance is verified via acoustic testing of a 3D-printed prototype. The simulation and experimental results of test cases show that the designed acoustic metamaterial can perfectly block the target noise band and have significant advantages in terms of design efficiency, light weight, and noise attenuation.     

Mathematical model for characterizing noise transmission into finite cylindrical structures

This work presents a theoretical study of the sound transmission into a finite cylinder under coupled structural and acoustic vibration. Particular attention of this study is focused on evaluating a dimensionless quantity, "noise reduction," for characterizing noise transmission into a small cylindrical enclosure. An analytical expression of the exterior sound pressure resulting from an oblique plane wave impinging upon the cylindrical shell is first presented, which is approximated from the exterior sound pressure for an infinite cylindrical structure. Next, the analytical solution of the interior sound pressure is computed using modal-interaction theory for the coupled structural acoustic system. These results are then used to derive the analytical formula for the noise reduction. Finally, the model is used to predict and characterize the sound transmission into a ChamberCore cylindrical structure, and the results are compared with experimental data. The effects of incidence angle and internal acoustic damping on the sound transmission into the cylinder are also parametrically studied.     

Surface impedance design with ground corrugation for mitigation of large-calibre gun blast noise

The surface impedance design approach is proposed for mitigating large-calibre gun blast noise. Surrounding the blast noise, we employ a group of concentric trenches with critical depths to dampen the propagation of the acoustic wave. These trenches behave like quarter-wavelength resonators and produce acoustic soft surfaces at their openings. The sound pressure is then mitigated over these soft surfaces by destructive interference and the wave attenuates rapidly along the ground surface. To evaluate the overall acoustic performance of such a design, we develop an efficient numerical solver by treating the geometry as a body of revolution (BOR). The symmetry of the structure in the revolution direction allows the 3D boundary integral equation (BIE) for acoustic wave scattering to be reduced to a 2D integral equation by the use of Fourier series expansions. Numerical experiments show that this model can effectively suppress the acoustic wave propagation horizontally and the reduction can reach about 15 dB for large-calibre gun noise with very low-frequency components.     

参量阵扬声器在管道噪声控制中的研究*

为了解决管道有源噪声控制中声反馈造成的系统复杂度和计算量的增加,文中引入参量阵扬声器作为次级声源,利用其强指向性减小控制系统的声反馈。为了验证该方法可行性,本文分别在直管和L管中,对600 Hz单频噪声和频率范围为500 Hz~1000 Hz的窄带噪声进行了管道有源噪声控制,同时测量了参量阵扬声器的管内声场和降噪范围。结果表明,参量阵扬声器声反馈小,在没有声反馈补偿的条件下对单频噪声的降噪效果基本达到了声反馈补偿条件下普通扬声器的降噪效果,对窄带噪声的降噪效果稍差。此外,通过测量管道声场和降噪量,确定了参量阵扬声器的降噪区域为误差传感器下游整个管道,降噪面积为管道整个截面。这说明参量阵扬声器作为次级声源降低了系统的复杂度和算法的计算量,并取得了较好的降噪效果。     

基于改进声线跟踪法的室内交通噪声动态模拟

对碰撞点的有效性判断是传统声线跟踪法的一个重要步骤,在计算复杂的室内空间问题时计算量较大,为解决这一问题采用了一种与空间剖分相结合的改进的声线跟踪法。将该方法与微观交通流仿真和车辆噪声排放模型进行结合,实现了道路交通噪声透过窗户在多连通室内空间传播的动态模拟。最后采用该方法对相同道路和交通流条件下不同建筑朝向的4种布局室内噪声进行动态模拟。分析了室内交通噪声的大小和分布与建筑物布局、窗户的朝向、窗户的形式和面积等因数之间的关系。结果表明:窗户正对道路的房间比窗户侧对道路的房间噪声高4～6 d B(A),房间内等效声级与窗户面积的对数成正比关系。     

Performance of an adaptive beamforming noise reduction scheme for hearing aid applications. II. Experimental verification of the predictions

A method to predict the amount of noise reduction which can be achieved using a two-microphone adaptive beamforming noise reduction system for hearing aids [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 109, 1123 (2001)] is verified experimentally. 34 experiments are performed in real environments and 58 in simulated environments and the results are compared to the predictions. In all experiments, one noise source and one target signal source are present. Starting from a setting in a moderately reverberant room (reverberation time 0.42 s, volume 34 m3, distance between listener and either sound source 1 m, length of the adaptive filter 25 ms), eight different parameters of the acoustical environment and three different design parameters of the adaptive beamformer were systematically varied. For those experiments, in which the direct-to-reverberant ratios of the noise signal is +3 dB or less, the difference between the predicted and the measured improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is -0.21+/-0.59 dB for real environments and -0.25+/-0.51 dB for simulated environments (average +/- standard deviation). At higher direct-to-reverberant ratios, SNR improvement is systematically underestimated by up to 5.34 dB. The parameters with the greatest influence on the performance of the adaptive beamformer have been found to be the direct-to-reverberant ratio of the noise source, the reverberation time of the acoustic environment, and the length of the adaptive filter.     

多路噪声测量系统的研制

本描述了多路噪声测量系统的建立,该系统是一以微机为中心的数字化系统,可实现对４路稳态宽带噪声的测量,测量参数是线性声压级和倍频带声压级。系统由微机、ＴＭＳ３２０Ｃ３０板、多路ＡＤ板、传感器、放大器等设备构成硬件系统,并通过编制Ｃ３０板嵌入式软件和微机主控程序实现系统功能。在软件编制中结合数字信号处理技术,并结合硬件特性优化程序设计,本系统测量方法简易,快捷和精度高,在噪声测量领域具有较高实用价值