Machinery noise predictions at the design stage using acoustic modelling

This paper presents a simple method of predicting the $\text{L}{}_{\mathrm{eq}}$ sound pressure levels in the operator's position for a machine, whilst the latter is still at the design stage. Simple acoustic models are used to estimate mean values for the transfer functions between vibrational response and sound pressure at a point. Given a force input to a structure (machine) and the subsequent vibration response, which can be calculated by finite element or other means, it provides a quick and easy method of accurately predicting overall rms sound levels. The method is applied and provided with data obtained from a full-scale industrial drop hammer. It is applicable to any machine which can be identified as a distribution of separate sound sources.