A-weighted Sound Pressure Level Research Articles

Landscaping for road traffic noise abatement: Model validation

Deliberately changing terrain undulation and ground characteristics (“acoustical landscaping”) is an potential noise abatement solution near roads. However, there is hardly any research regarding the validity of sound propagation models to predict its effectiveness. Long-term continuous sound pressure level measurements near a complex road traffic and sound propagation case were performed. Three types of modeling approaches were validated, covering the full spectrum of available techniques. A two-dimensional full-wave technique (the finite-difference time-domain method, FDTD), but also an advanced engineering model (the Harmonoise point-to-point model), provide accurate transmission loss predictions, both in 1/3 octave bands and for total A-weighted sound pressure levels. Two common and widely used semi-empirical engineering methods (ISO9613-2 and CNOSSOS) yield rather inaccurate results, notwithstanding the short propagation distance. The sensitivity to input data was assessed by modeling various scenarios with the FDTD method. Detailed ground effect modeling was shown to be of main importance.

Response to Noise Emitted by Wind Farms in People Living in Nearby Areas.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception and annoyance of noise from wind turbines in populated areas of Poland. A questionnaire inquiry was carried out among 517 subjects, aged 18–88, living within 204–1726 m from the nearest wind turbine. For areas where respondents lived, A-weighted sound pressure levels (SPLs) were calculated as the sum of the contributions from the wind power plants in the specific area. It has been shown that the wind turbine noise at the calculated A-weighted SPL of 33–50 dB was perceived as annoying or highly annoying by 46% and 28% of respondents, respectively. Moreover, 34% and 18% of them said that they were annoyed or highly annoyed indoors, respectively. The perception of high annoyance was associated with the A-weighted sound pressure level or the distance from the nearest wind turbine, general attitude to wind farms, noise sensitivity and terrain shape (annoyance outdoors) or road-traffic intensity (annoyance indoors). About 48–66% of variance in noise annoyance rating might be explained by the aforesaid factors. It was estimated that at the distance of 1000 m the wind turbine noise might be perceived as highly annoying outdoors by 43% and 2% of people with negative and positive attitude towards wind turbines, respectively. There was no significant association between noise level (or distance) and various health and well-being aspects. However, all variables measuring health and well-being aspects, including stress symptoms, were positively associated with annoyance related to wind turbine noise.

The Danger Zone for Noise Hazards Around the Black Hawk Helicopter.

During ground operations, rotary-wing aircraft engines and subsystems produce noise hazards that place airfield personnel at risk for hearing damage. The noise exposure levels outside the aircraft during various operating conditions, and the distances from aircraft at which they drop to safe levels, are not readily available. The current study measured noise levels at various positions around the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for three operating conditions typically used when the aircraft is on the ground. Microphones were positioned systematically around the helicopter and A-weighted sound pressure levels (SPLs) were computed from the recordings. In addition, the 85-dBA SPL contour around the aircraft was mapped. The resulting A-weighted SPLs and contour mapping were used to determine the noise hazard area around the helicopter. Measurements reported here show noise levels of 105 dB or greater in all operating conditions. The fueling location at the left rear of the aircraft near the auxiliary power unit (APU) is the area of greatest risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Additionally, sound field contours indicate noise hazard areas (>85 dBA SPL) can extend beyond 100 ft from the helicopter. This report details the areas of greatest risk for auditory injury around the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Our findings suggest the area of hazardous noise levels around the aircraft can extend to neighboring aircraft, particularly on the side of the aircraft where the APU is located. Hearing protection should be worn whenever the aircraft is operating, even if working at a distance.Jones HG, Greene NT, Chen MR, Azcona CM, Archer BJ, Reeves ER. The danger zone for noise hazards around the Black Hawk helicopter. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(6):547-551.

Critical methodological assessment of the distraction distance used for evaluating room acoustic quality of open-plan offices

ISO 3382-3, the international standard for evaluating the acoustics of open-plan offices, includes metrics based on measuring spatial decay, over workstations, of speech sound pressure level, and speech intelligibility. The speech intelligibility metrics, out of which distraction distance (rD) has recently been shown to be most useful, are derived from speech transmission index (STI) calculations. This study examines how the ISO 3382-3 metrics, especially rD, are affected by certain aspects of STI calculation, by using acoustic measurements of 20 offices. Results show that rD values calculated using ISO 3382-3 speech spectrum were significantly different to those calculated using other standard and proposed speech spectra. The choice of standard octave-band transmission index weights, e.g., male/female, used in standard STI calculation as per IEC 60268-16 (2011), did not significantly affect rD values. However, compared to the standard STI calculation, the pre-standard weights from the STI model from 1985 that is used in some important studies cited in ISO 3382-3 yielded much shorter rD values; RASTI yielded an increase in rD of less than 1 m; whereas STIPA (IEC 60268-16: 2011) did not affect rD. The effect of auditory spectral masking in standard STI calculation was negligible overall, but there were cases where the auditory masking reduced rD by up to 0.5 m. The effects of speech spectrum on two other relevant metrics in ISO 3382-3, namely spatial decay rate of speech, and A-weighted sound pressure level of speech at 4 m distance, were not significant. Overall, sensitivities of rD to several aspects of STI calculation are highlighted, which should contribute to the interpretation of studies that informed ISO 3382-3 development, support the current implied practice of using male STI weights for genderless speech in the calculation of rD, and provide guidance on potential refinements.

An inexpensive sensor for noise

ABSTRACTNoise is a pervasive workplace hazard that varies spatially and temporally. The cost of direct-reading instruments for noise hampers their use in a network. The objectives for this work were to: (1) develop an inexpensive noise sensor (<$100) that measures A-weighted sound pressure levels within ±2 dBA of a Type 2 sound level meter (SLM; ∼$1,800); and (2) evaluate 50 noise sensors for use in an inexpensive sensor network. The inexpensive noise sensor consists of an electret condenser microphone, an amplifier circuit, and a microcontroller with a small form factor (28 mm by 47 mm by 9 mm) than can be operated as a stand-alone unit. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate 50 of the new sensors at 5 sound levels: (1) ambient sound in a quiet office; (2) 3 pink noise test signals from 65–85 dBA in 10 dBA increments; and (3) 94 dBA using a SLM calibrator. Ninety-four percent of the noise sensors (n = 46) were within ±2 dBA of the SLM for sound levels from 65–94 dBA. As sound level increased, bias decreased, ranging from 18.3% in the quiet office to 0.48% at 94 dBA. Overall bias of the sensors was 0.83% across the 75 dBA to 94 dBA range. These sensors are available for a variety of uses and can be customized for many applications, including incorporation into a stationary sensor network for continuous monitoring of noise in manufacturing environments.

Active noise control system in a fire helmet – a proposal of the solution

An auditory warning signal emitted by a moving emergency vehicle is intended to inform other road users about an approaching emergency vehicle and the need to give way to it. Emission of a warning signal with the highest possible sound pressure level is the main method of ensuring the audibility and recognition of the warning signal by traffic participants at unknown and varying traffic noise, acoustic insulation of vehicles and noise in the interior of the vehicle. The A-weighted sound pressure level of the auditory warning signal reaching the interior of an emergency vehicle may exceed 90 dB, which can be harmful to the hearing, can adversely affect psychophysical fitness of the crew members and can significantly hinder verbal communication in the vehicle. This article presents the concept and results of numerical simulations of an active noise control system in fire helmets, which will reduce the exposure of the crew to the warning signal and improve the quality of verbal communication in an emergency vehicle. This system is integrated with the signal generation system. The Notch algorithm and the NLMS adaptation algorithm were used in the system's control algorithm. The construction of the controller was based on a microcontroller from the STM32F4 family.

Acoustic conditions in open plan office - Application of technical measures in a typical room

Noise in open plan offices should not exceed acceptable levels for the hearing protection. Its major negative effects on employees are nuisance and impediment in execution of work. Specific technical solutions should be introduced to provide proper acoustic conditions for work performance. Acoustic evaluation of a typical open plan office was presented in the article published in "Medycyna Pracy" 5/2016. None of the rooms meets all the criteria, therefore, in this article one of the rooms was chosen to apply different technical solutions to check the possibility of reaching proper acoustic conditions. Acoustic effectiveness of those solutions was verified by means of digital simulation. The model was checked by comparing the results of measurements and calculations before using simulation. The analyzis revealed that open plan offices supplemented with signals for masking speech signals can meet all the required criteria. It is relatively easy to reach proper reverberation time (i.e., sound absorption). It is more difficult to reach proper values of evaluation parameters determined from A-weighted sound pressure level (SPLA) of speech. The most difficult is to provide proper values of evaluation parameters determined from speech transmission index (STI). Finally, it is necessary (besides acoustic treatment) to use devices for speech masking. The study proved that it is technically possible to reach proper acoustic condition. Main causes of employees complaints in open plan office are inadequate acoustic work conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to apply specific technical solutions - not only sound absorbing suspended ceiling and high acoustic barriers, but also devices for speech masking. Med Pr 2018;69(2):153-165.

A Method to Estimate Students’ Exposure to Road Traffic Noise Events

The correlation between exposure to traffic noise and students’ performance and annoyance has been investigated in literature mainly considering the relationship between indoor equivalent A-weighted sound pressure level (LAeq) and students’ cognitive impairment. Annoyance is frequently related to the effect of short-duration noise events characterized by high sound pressure levels, such as those due to aircraft fly-over and pass-by of buses, heavy trucks, motorcycles, or street sweepers. These noise events are often described, over specific measurement periods, in terms of maximum A-weighted sound pressure level, LAmax, or statistical levels, such as LA1 or LA10. This aspect is not considered in the noise maps drawn in accordance with the European Environmental Noise Directive, as they provide the LAeq only, determined over day, evening, and night periods. In this paper, students’ exposure to road traffic noise is analyzed by means of regression equations obtained by the authors between LAeq and A-weighted maximum and statistical levels due to road traffic noise. The traffic noise of 28 urban streets was monitored during the opening period of Italian schools. A method is described to estimate students’ exposure to noise from data made available on noise maps by the municipalities of metropolitan areas. The application of this method to the case study of Florence shows that almost 60% of students from municipal primary and lower secondary schools could be exposed to the maximum sound pressure level (SPL) inside the classroom greater than 55 dB(A) every hour, probably exceeding the typical background noise in classrooms by more than 10 dB.

Exposure to impulse noise at an explosives company: a case study

Impulse noise encountered in workplaces is a threat to hearing. The aim of this study was to assess the occupational exposure to impulse noise produced by detonation of dynamite on the premises of an explosives company. Test points were located on the blast test area (inside and outside the bunker) and in work buildings across the site. Noise propagation measurement was performed during 130 blast tests at nine measurement points. At every point, at least 10 separate measurements of A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level (LAeq), maximum A-weighted sound pressure level (LAmax) and C-weighted peak sound pressure level (LCpeak) were made. Noise recorded in the blast test area exceeded occupational exposure limits (OELs). Noise levels measured in buildings did not exceed OELs. Results of the survey showed that for 62% of respondents, impulse noise causes difficulties in performing work. The most commonly reported symptoms include headaches, nervousness and irritability.

Numerical Study on Wind‐Induced Noise of High‐Rise Building Curtain Wall with Outside Shading Devices

Perforation metal plates with dense holes are often used as external curtain walls of high‐rise buildings. When air flow passes through these holes at a high speed, complex vortex is generated and causes a significant issue of wind‐induced noise. In this study, both Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations and large‐eddy simulations (LES) were conducted to study flow around high‐rise buildings with an external sunshade curtain wall. First, wind speed distributions at the height of a typical level under 16 wind directions were acquired. Then, the maximum wind speed ratio and its corresponding azimuth were identified. Second, the sound pressure levels in the vicinity of the shading devices with two types of perforation plate schemes were calculated to evaluate the acoustic characteristics by using the FW‐H equation to simulate sound generation and propagation. The results indicate that the maximum wind speed around the buildings exists at the building corners, and the maximum wind speed ratio is 2.8 observed at 0‐degree wind direction. Under two different wind conditions, the aeroacoustic performance of perforation plate is enhanced with reducing end plate size and increasing aperture size. The overall sound pressure level (OSPL) and A‐weighted sound pressure level (ASPL) around the shading devices are 80 dB and 68 dB(A), respectively, for the improved perforation plate scheme under the 1‐year return period maximum speed, which are changed to 58dB and 45dB(A) under the annual average speed. Therefore, it is believed that perforation plates with small end plate size and large aperture size are desirable for the noise prevention design of shading devices.

An Experimental Study on the Radiation Noise Characteristics of a Centrifugal Pump with Various Working Conditions

To investigate the radiation noise characteristics of a centrifugal pump under various working conditions, a noise measurement system is established; afterwards, the distribution of different points and intervals, as well as the overall level of noise, are studied. The total sound pressure level distribution for different points manifests the dipole and asymmetric directivity characteristics. Additionally, the acoustic energy is introduced to compare the noise of different intervals to reveal the asymmetric characteristics, and it is found that variation in working conditions has little impact on the acoustic energy distribution, and the ratio of the acoustic energy in the direction facing the tongue, as well as that in the direction against the tongue, to total acoustic energy fluctuate around 0.410 and 0.160, respectively, under various working conditions. Also, the A-weighted average sound pressure level (LpA) is applied to describe the overall level of noise, and LpA increases gradually with the growth of rotational speed, but the growth slope decreases. While in the operation of throttling regulation, LpA shows the trend that first increases, then remains stable, and increases again with the growth of flow rate. This study could provide guidance for optimizing the operating conditions and noise control of centrifugal pumps.

Sound Quality Evaluation of the Interior Noise of Pure Electric Vehicle Based on Neural Network Model

Based on neural network model, a method for quantitative sound quality (SQ) evaluation of the interior noise of a pure electric vehicle (PEV) is presented in this paper. The method can be divided into four steps. First, the interior noises under different speeds of a PEV are collected through the interior noise test of the PEV. Subsequently, one physical acoustic parameter (A-weighted sound pressure level) and six psychoacoustic parameters (loudness, fluctuation strength, tonality, roughness, articulation index, and sharpness) are applied to describe the noise samples for objective evaluation of SQ. In the third step, five semantic evaluation indexes, namely, “annoying or pleasing,” “harsh or sweet,” “weak or powerful,” “promiscuous and pure,” and “unobservable or perceptible,” are proposed based on semantic differential method, which are used for subjective evaluation of SQ by jury tests. Finally, the neural network model for SQ evaluation of the interior noise of the PEV is established, the SQ characteristics of the interior noise of the PEV are evaluated, as well as revealing the coefficient weight of influencing factors. This model can be used for SQ prediction and evaluation of the interior noise of the PEV considering that the average error is 9%.

Research on the Reduction of the Aerodynamic Drag and Noise of EMU6 Air Conditioner

With 1/8 th Scale of the Electric Multiple Units (EMU) 6 as model, the effects of air conditioner height and guiding angle on the aero-acoustic performance of EMU6 are studied, based on the 3D incompressible Lilly LES+FW-H method. The results show that the aerodynamic drag and noise of EMU6 are smaller when the air conditioner height is 190mm and the diversion angle is 30 degrees. The intensity of the dipole sound source near the air conditioner is larger. The A-weighted sound pressure level reaches the maximum at the frequency slightly lower than 1000Hz. The frequency band for the aerodynamic noise is wide, and the acoustic energy concentrates at the frequency around 1000Hz and decays with the increase and decrease of frequency. The sound pressure level is high at the streamline of the head coach and decreases gradually with the increase of distance from the tail coach.

Computational Method of the Interior Aerodynamic Noise of the High-speed Train

The computational method of interior aerodynamic noise of the high-speed train was proposed based on the large eddy simulation (LES) and statistical energy analysis (SEA). Based on the SEA theory, the computation model of the interior aerodynamic noise was established, which included 422 car-body structural subsystems and 170 interior acoustic cavity subsystems. The fluctuating pressure spectrums on the car-body structural subsystems were obtained by the LES, and then the interior aerodynamic noise of the high-speed train was computed and analyzed. Computational results show that the sound pressure level of the drive’s cab cavity and passenger compartment cavity has low frequency characteristics for the linerweighted sound pressure level and has broadband characteristics for the A-weighted sound pressure level. For the A-weighted sound pressure level, the sound energy of the drive’s cab cavity is mainly distributed between 100~2000Hz, the sound energy of the passenger compartment cavity is mainly distributed between 50~2000Hz. The sound pressure level of the interior aerodynamic noise can be reduced for every frequency by improving interior sound absorption performance and increasing the damping of the car-body plate.

Objective quantification of perceived differences between measured and synthesized aircraft sounds

This paper presents an approach with which perceived audible differences in aircraft sounds can be quantified and presented in an objective manner. The objective quantification of the subjectively heard audible differences is intended to serve two primary goals. It can firstly enable developers of auralization technology to make the auralized sounds more realistic by identifying in which aspects the synthesized sounds differ from their real-life counterparts and to what extent. The quantification can secondly provide an improved and more detailed means of distinguishing between aircraft sounds in general, beyond the conventional metrics of A-weighted Sound Pressure level (dBA) or Effective Perceived Noise Level (EPNL) used currently to assess aircraft noise. In this study sound quality metrics are used to quantify the differences in aircraft sounds. These metrics are widely used in other industries such as the automotive sector. Audio files of a reference aircraft, made over identical flight paths at a noise monitoring station in the vicinity of Schiphol airport, are compared in terms of both conventional and sound quality metrics for four measured and four auralized audio files. It is observed from the comparison that differences that may appear small in the conventional metrics can be significant in terms of the sound quality metrics. Significant differences in measured and synthesized sounds are observed for the aircraft considered in this study with regards to the tonal content and fluctuations in amplitude that occur over time. The conventional metrics are seen to capture the overall loudness aspect of aircraft sounds, but give no clear information regarding which spectral or temporal characteristics cause the sounds to be perceived as audibly different.

Propagation characteristics of audible noise generated by single corona source under positive DC voltage

The directivity and lateral profile of corona-generated audible noise (AN) from a single corona source are measured through experiments carried out in the semi-anechoic laboratory. The experimental results show that the waveform of corona-generated AN consists of a series of random sound pressure pulses whose pulse amplitudes decrease with the increase of measurement distance. A single corona source can be regarded as a non-directional AN source, and the A-weighted SPL (sound pressure level) decreases 6 dB(A) as doubling the measurement distance. Then, qualitative explanations for the rationality of treating the single corona source as a point source are given on the basis of the Ingard’s theory for sound generation in corona discharge. Furthermore, we take into consideration of the ground reflection and the air attenuation to reconstruct the propagation features of AN from the single corona source. The calculated results agree with the measurement well, which validates the propagation model. Finally, the influence of the ground reflection on the SPL is presented in the paper.

Influences of low-frequency and other noises produced by wind turbines: An epidemiological literature review.

Objectives Due to its' environment-friendly and clean energy characteristics, wind power has been increasingly used globally, particularly in advanced countries. However, concerns about health hazards, especially due to low-frequency and other noises generated from wind turbines, have been reported repeatedly. In order to manage adverse health effects appropriately, regulatory standards or guidelines that consider the health of residents need to be developed. To provide a scientific basis for the development of such regulatory standards and guidelines, this paper conducted a literature review to analyze epidemiological studies involving residents living in the vicinity of wind farms.Methods Using the PubMED database, epidemiological papers that examined the health effects of noises produced by wind turbines were searched and collected. Additional papers were collected from the abstracts presented at relevant international academic conferences such as the Inter-Noise 2013 and Wind Turbine Noise 2015. An evidence table comprising the study design, subjects, exposure assessment, outcomes, confounders, and research results of each selected study was created.Results A total of 11 papers were collected (2 of which were abstracts from the international academic conferences). These studies reported outcomes such as perception of noises, annoyance caused by the noises, and the association of the noises with stress and sleeplessness. Significant associations between the noises or annoyance produced by wind turbines and subjective adverse health effects were reported repeatedly. Two studies reported an odds ratio of 1.1 for an increase of 1 dB in the A-weighted sound pressure level as a factor representing the influence level. For other factors, it was not possible to compare the magnitude of the impact among the collected studies. Individual attitudes toward wind power and landscapes, economic benefits of wind farms, visibility of wind turbines, sensitivity to sounds, and concerns over health hazards were reported as confounders.Conclusion Significant associations between the noises or annoyance produced by wind turbines and subjective adverse health effects were reported repeatedly. However, there was insufficient evidence to conclude whether the annoyance was caused by the psychological response to the construction of wind farms or by the actual exposure to noises generated by wind farms.

Spatial and temporal determinants of A-weighted and frequency specific sound levels—An elastic net approach

BackgroundUrban sound levels are a ubiquitous environmental stressor and have been shown to be associated with a wide variety of health outcomes. While much is known about the predictors of A-weighted sound pressure levels in the urban environment, far less is known about other frequencies. ObjectiveTo develop a series of spatial-temporal sound models to predict A-weighted sound pressure levels, low, mid, and high frequency sound for Boston, Massachusetts. MethodsShort-term sound levels were gathered at n = 400 sites from February 2015 – February 2016. Spatial and meteorological attributes at or near the sound monitoring site were obtained using publicly available data and a portable weather station. An elastic net variable selection technique was used to select predictors of A-weighted, low, mid, and high frequency sound. ResultsThe final models for low, mid, high, and A-weighted sound levels explained 59 – 69% of the variability in each measure. Similar to other A-weighted models, our sound models included transportation related variables such as length of roads and bus lines in the surrounding area; distance to road and rail lines; traffic volume, vehicle mix, residential and commercial land use. However, frequency specific models highlighted additional predictors not included in the A-weighted model including temperature, vegetation, impervious surfaces, vehicle mix, and density of entertainment establishments and restaurants. ConclusionsBuilding spatial temporal models to characterize sound levels across the frequency spectrum using an elastic net approach can be a promising tool for noise exposure assessments within the urban soundscape. Models of sound's character may give us additional important sound exposure metrics to be utilized in epidemiological studies.

Sound quality evaluation of high-speed train interior noise by adaptive Moore loudness algorithm

An online experiment to acquire the interior noise of a China Railways High-speed (CRH) train showed that it was mainly composed of middle-low frequency components and could not be described properly by linear or A-weighted sound pressure level (SPL). Thus, the appropriate way to evaluate the high-speed train interior noise is to use sound quality parameters, and the most important is loudness. To overcome the disadvantages of the existing loudness algorithms, a novel signal-adaptive Moore loudness algorithm (AMLA) based on the equivalent rectangular bandwidth (ERB) spectrum was introduced. The validation reveals that AMLA can obtain higher accuracy and efficiency, and the simulated dark red noise conforms best to the high-speed train interior noise by loudness and auditory assessment. The main loudness component of the interior noise is below 27.6 ERB rate (erbr), and the sound quality of the interior noise is relatively stable between 300–350 km/h. The specific loudness components among 12–15 erbr stay invariable throughout the acceleration or deceleration process while components among 20–27 erbr are evidently speed related. The unusual random noise is effectively identified, which indicates that AMLA is an appropriate method for sound quality assessment of the high-speed train under both steady and transient conditions.

Surface aging effects of long-term energized conductors on spectrum characteristics of audible noise

The impact of surface aging level of long-term energized conductors on spectrum characteristics of audible noise is studied in this paper. It is found that the average roughness and root-mean-square roughness of conductors increase with the operating time, namely the aging degree, through the quantitative measurement. A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq) is found to increase with the aging level. As the aging aggravation, the LAeq and its high-frequency components (&amp;gt;1 kHz) increase substantially and high-frequency components are mainly contributing to the increasing of LAeq. The high-frequency components (&amp;gt;1 kHz) of the new and aged stranded conductors have a marked increasing trend as the surface potential gradient increases, while the low-frequency components are mainly environment noise.