Sound Pressure Field Research Articles

Sound Source Localization at the Rolling Tire

A vehicle's tire rolling on pavement causes complex noise generating mechanisms which are a dominant sub-source of vehicle traffic noise. For the quantification of noise levels due to these tire-pavement interactions, standardized acoustic measurement methods exist, such as the Close-Proximity (CPX) method. These methods require microphones mounted near a rolling tire. However, they do not provide insight in the distribution and amplitudes of present sound sources. In this contribution, we aim at identifying the dominant sound sources of the rolling tire at discrete frequencies. This is accomplished by an inverse method combining microphone array measurements and Finite Element (FE) simulations. The microphone measurements were recorded on Austrian highways with a large measurement trailer built for research purposes. With the considered inverse method, not only the amplitudes of the dominant sound sources but also their phases can be identified. With these identified sources and a validated FE model of the measurement trailer, the sound pressure field within the trailer may be computed. The thereby calculated sound pressure is compared to measurements at the CPX microphone positions and other locations within the trailer.

Methodology for 3D sound synthesis of directional acoustic sources by higher-order ambisonics

This paper presents the 3D sound field synthesis using both the multimodal method and higher-order ambisonics (HOA) of the pressure field radiated by directional acoustic sources. Ambisonics is a technique for encoding and reproducing measured or modeled (virtual) sound pressure field, based on a decomposition of the acoustic field over spherical harmonics. The directional source considered in this work is an acoustic horn excited by a flat piston. The free-field radiation from this horn is first modeled accurately over a wide frequency range using the multimodal method, which requires relatively low computational resources. This radiated pressure field, collected on a dual-layer sphere of virtual sensors distributed over a Lebedev geometry, allows its projection into the ambisonic domain. The pressure field is then synthetized in the laboratory's 3D 5th order HOA spatialization sphere, which consists of fifty-six loudspeakers. This offers the ability of listening to the radiated sound using a higher-order ambisonic synthesis of a 'virtual' source before it is manufactured. To qualitatively evaluate the performance of the proposed procedure, the transfer function of the synthesized horn is measured around the listening point within the spatialization sphere. Key words : 3D sound synthesis, high-order ambisonics, directive sources, waveguides, horn, multimodal method

Design and optimization of acoustic reflector for uniform diffusion

Sound diffusion performance is considered as an important issue in building acoustics. A well-diffused sound field can effectively enhance the human listening experience. To this end, we have investigated several optimization strategies to design a sub-wavelength acoustic metasurface that can achieve broadband uniform diffuse reflections. These designs are based on Fresnel lens surface, groove-like structure, level-set method, topology optimization approach, respectively. Meanwhile, a strategy combining Monte-Carlo searches and other derivative-free algorithms has been analyzed and used to ensure, as far as possible, a global optimum for the objective function when dealing with the multi-peak problem encountered in complex sound fields. Numerical simulations show that the resulting metasurfaces with the best diffusion performance have similar configurations between different design methods. The simulated sound pressure field was also verified by experimental measurements. From a general perspective, the proposed optimization strategy and simulation framework can provide a greater degree of freedom for geometric configuration and benefit the design of interior components in building acoustics.

Neural Impedance Boundary (NeIB): a neural-network based framework for acoustic surface impedance estimation utilizing sparse measurement data

Amidst recent advancements in the 3D digital representation that have significantly enhanced the modeling of geometric attributes of pre-existing environments, accurate estimation of acoustic boundary conditions remains a complex challenge. This paper presents a novel way to determine what we refer to as a neural boundary field, using physics-informed neural networks (PINN). The aim is to estimate the surface impedance measured in-situ by utilizing several points of sound field pressure. This approach couples the Helmholtz equation with automatic differentiation in the PINN framework to estimate accurately the surface impedance using a hybrid modeling approach where measurement data and domain knowledge in the form of equations for the acoustic waves are combined. As a proof-of-concept, we train the neural networks using 2D sound field data obtained from high-fidelity numerical acoustical simulations that incorporate actual surface materials parameters. We discuss the measurement techniques associated with this method and outline our vision for its application to 3D scene reconstructions in the future.

Ultrasonic multi-frequency piezoelectric transducer for generation different sound pressure field patterns

Ultrasonic multi-frequency piezoelectric transducer for generation different sound pressure field patterns

Vibration and acoustic properties of auxetic honeycomb sandwich panels with polyurea-metal laminate faceplates

The in-plane auxetic honeycomb sandwich panels (AHSPs) with polyurea-metal laminate (PML) as faceplates were proposed, and their vibration and acoustic properties were investigated. The natural frequency, damping loss factor, sound transmission loss (STL), and sound field pressure distribution were simulated by the finite element, which was then compared with the AHSP without a polyurea layer. The sound insulation properties of the AHSPs with PML faceplates were significantly enhanced due to the viscoelastic energy consumption of the polyurea layer. By changing the thickness of the polyurea layer and adopting different honeycomb geometries, the sound insulation ability of the sandwich plate could be further enhanced. The average STL rose by 2.3–4.7 dB when the polyurea layer thickness was increased, hence significantly improving the noise suppression ability of the AHSPs. When the geometric tilt angle θ of the honeycomb core is −45°, the sandwich panel exhibits superior sound insulation performance.

Sound reception and hearing capabilities in the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor): first predicted in-air and underwater audiograms.

Despite increasing concern about the effects of anthropogenic noise on marine fauna, relevant research is limited, particularly in those inaccessible species, such as the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor). In this study, we collected freshly deceased Little Penguins for dissection and micro-computed tomography (microCT) scans. The head structures, including the ear apparatus, were reconstructed based on high-resolution imaging data for the species. Moreover, three-dimensional finite-element models were built based on microCT data to simulate the sound reception processes and ear responses to the incident planar waves at the selected frequencies. The received sound pressure fields and motion (i.e. displacement and velocity) of the internal ear-related structures were modelled. The synergistic response of ear components to incident aerial and underwater sounds was computed to predict the hearing capabilities of the Little Penguins across a broad frequency range (100 Hz-10 kHz), both in air and under water. Our predicted data showed good agreement with other diving birds in both the form and range of auditory sensitivity. This study demonstrates a promising method to study hearing in other inaccessible animals. The outputs from this study can inform noise impact mitigation and conservation management.

Analysis of the effect of cavitation on internal fluid excitation characteristics of centrifugal pumps

To explore the influence of cavitation on the internal fluid excitation characteristics of pumps, numerical simulations and performance testing evaluations were performed on the IS65-50-125 centrifugal pump. The prototype pump's exterior characteristic and cavitation performance curves, as well as its bubble volume distribution, were successfully replicated using numerical computations. The effect of cavitation on the internal pressure pulsation characteristics of the centrifugal pump under various operating situations was comprehensively investigated, indicating a relationship between the degree of cavitation and the root mean square values of pressure pulsation. Special emphasis was placed on the changes in features at intermediate and high frequencies, as well as the processes of rising bubble volume and vortex shedding at the impeller trailing edge on pressure pulsation. To validate the simulation results, a centrifugal pump vibration and noise testing platform was built, and studies on vibration intensity and internal sound field noise were conducted. The experimental results revealed that the vibration intensity and internal sound field sound pressure level of the centrifugal pump rose as cavitation conditions deteriorated, confirming the modeling results. This study's significant innovation is the precise identification of the pump's performance changes under different operating conditions by monitoring pressure pulsation changes at various frequencies, as well as an in-depth discussion of the impact mechanism of cavitation phenomena on the internal fluid excitation behavior of centrifugal pumps. The study demonstrates differences in pressure pulsation characteristics on the suction and pressure sides under various cavitation situations, as well as the process of vortex creation and shedding generated by bubbles in the impeller input channel during severe cavitation. This gives new theoretical basis for pump vibration and noise reduction, as well as significant improvements in centrifugal pump performance and stability.

Physics-informed neural networks for acoustic boundary admittance estimation

Acoustic simulations often face significant uncertainties due to limited knowledge of acoustic boundary conditions. While measuring the boundary admittance in situ is challenging in practical applications, numerical inverse methods can be used to characterize the boundary conditions based on sound pressure data. However, conventional inverse methods require a validated forward model and can become impractical for computationally expensive simulation models. Over the past years, machine learning approaches have emerged as promising methods for scientific computing and data-driven modeling. Physics-informed neural networks incorporate physical prior knowledge into a neural network by adding the residual of the underlying partial differential equation to the loss function. Training the neural network minimizes the loss function, allowing the network to learn a solution that not only fits the training data but also satisfies the corresponding boundary value problem. In this study, physics-informed neural networks are trained to learn the sound pressure solution within two numerical examples governed by the Helmholtz equation without explicitly specifying the boundary conditions at selected boundaries. After training, the neural network’s prediction of the boundary admittance is evaluated and compared to the ground truth, initially assigned in the finite element reference solution. Additionally, the proposed method is validated using experimental data obtained from an acoustic impedance tube measurement. The results show that physics-informed neural networks can accurately learn the sound pressure field and implicitly solve the inverse problem by providing an accurate estimate of the underlying boundary admittance, even in the case of spatially varying boundary conditions.

Electromagnetic Vibration and Noise Analysis of Linear Phase-Shifting Transformer

The advantages of adjustable angle phase-shifting and great expansibility make the linear phase-shifting transformer a novel type of power conversion device with a wide range of potential applications. However, during the procedure, there is a lot of noise. For the purposes of transformer design and vibration and noise reduction, it is crucial to investigate its electromagnetic vibration and noise. In this paper, the radial electromagnetic force wave considering the influence of the end effect as the source of the noise of the linear phase-shifting transformer was deduced and calculated. Based on this, the spectrum and space–time properties of the radial electromagnetic force waves were simulated and verified. Additionally, a finite element model was created using the Ansys Workbench 2022R1 platform to study the electromagnetic vibration and noise of the linear phase-shifting transformer. A joint simulation of the electromagnetic, structural, and sound fields was then performed. First, the transformer’s natural frequency was determined by modal analysis. After that, the transformer’s structure and the results of the transient electromagnetic field computation were combined and a harmonic response analysis was conducted to determine the vibration acceleration spectrum. Finally, in order to solve the sound pressure field, the transformer’s boundary vibration acceleration was coupled to the air domain. Furthermore, an analysis was conducted to determine the noise distribution surrounding the linear phase-shifting transformer. The joint simulation findings demonstrate that the linear phase-shifting transformer’s resonance, which produces larger electromagnetic vibration and noise, is indeed caused by the radial electromagnetic force. Simultaneously, the impact of the LPST core’s fixed components on the electromagnetic vibration and noise of the core was examined.

Predicting ocean pressure field with a physics-informed neural network.

Ocean sound pressure field prediction, based on partially measured pressure magnitudes at different range-depths, is presented. Our proposed machine learning strategy employs a trained neural network with range-depth as input and outputs complex acoustic pressure at the location. We utilize a physics-informed neural network (PINN), fitting sampled data while considering the additional information provided by the partial differential equation (PDE) governing the ocean sound pressure field. In vast ocean environments with kilometer-scale ranges, pressure fields exhibit rapidly fluctuating phases, even at frequencies below 100 Hz, posing a challenge for neural networks to converge to accurate solutions. To address this, we utilize the envelope function from the parabolic-equation technique, fundamental in ocean sound propagation modeling. The envelope function shows slower variations across ranges, enabling PINNs to predict sound pressure in an ocean waveguide more effectively. Additional PDE information allows PINNs to capture PDE solutions even with a limited amount of training data, distinguishing them from purely data-driven machine learning approaches that require extensive datasets. Our approach is validated through simulations and using data from the SWellEx-96 experiment.

Laser interferometer measurement and reconstruction of supersonic projectile acoustic pressure fields

Sensing acoustic fields with a laser interferometer offers several advantages over conventional techniques: the probe beam does not disturb the medium in which it operates, the interferometer optics can be placed far from the source, and interferometry typically has a wider bandwidth than microphones. These advantages are particularly useful in situations where precise measurements of high-amplitude shock-generating sources are required. In this work we use a laser interferometer to study the generation and propagation of shock wave signatures of ballistic projectiles. A laboratory experiment was conducted to collect interferometer data from a variety of supersonic projectiles over a range of standoff distances. Simultaneously-captured microphone data is compared to the interferometer measurements, and techniques for inversion and reconstruction of the sound pressure field are discussed.

The acoustic radiation analysis of SFGP conical shell

The shell of revolution made of sandwich functionally graded material (SFGM) has broad applications in engineering. Pores are inevitable in processing SFGM, making it complex for the vibro-acoustic characteristics of the structure. To analyze the acoustic radiation mechanism of sandwich functional gradient porous materials (SFGP) shells deeply, a theoretical model for vibro-acoustic coupling of SFGP shells based on a semi-analytical approach is proposed. The spectral boundary element approach is used to simulate the sound field while the energy method is utilized for representing the structural field. The substructure scheme is introduced, resulting in a uniform division of both the structural field and the sound field into several segments. Similarly, both the displacement and sound pressure are depicted in an identical manner, with the meridional direction expanded using the Legendre series and the circumferential direction expanded using the Fourier series. By introducing the virtual work done by the sound pressure, the structural and sound fields are coupled to form the vibro-acoustic coupling equation, which is solved using the strong coupling approach. The present method exhibits outstanding convergence and precision, showcasing a strong agreement in vibro-acoustic response results when compared to prior research. Since the conical shell is one of the most widely applicable shells of revolution, this paper takes the conical shell as the research object to study. Following the proposed methodology, we delve into the examination of the roles played by various circumferential wave number modes in influencing the vibro-acoustic response of SFGP conical shells. Building upon this groundwork, an investigation is conducted into the influence of factors such as material gradient index, porosity, and pore distribution on the vibro-acoustic characteristics of SFGP conical shells.

Active control of target sound fields using structural-acoustic brightness applied to a ship model's acoustic signature.

This manuscript presents a method for reproducing sound fields actively by using a vibrating submerged structure as the field reproduction source, with the target sound field to be reproduced defined in the frequency domain using the acoustic brightness approach. To balance the predetermination of a mono- or multi-zone target sound pressure field and the control effort required, singular value decomposition of the structural-acoustic system matrix is proposed. The dependency of the radiation efficiency into the target zone on the singular modes representing source and pressure modes is investigated using a wavenumber-domain approach. Furthermore, a feedforward control principle is adopted for adaptive sound-field reproduction with mode matching from the least squares perspective. Finally, an experiment is reported that involve synthesizing a tonal target underwater acoustic signature of a model of a fast attack craft (scale 1:8) at a measurement facility at Lake Plön in Germany. The results show that with the structural-acoustic brightness approach structural modes with radiation coupling into the target zone are excited and related pressure modes exhibit individual focus in the direction of hydrophones in use. Finally, a predetermined narrowband sound pressure field is actively reproduced at the hydrophone positions using inertial actuators and accelerometers on the ship model's hull.

Experimental investigation of the Aero-Acoustics of a rectangular jet impinging a slotted plate for different flow regimes

Impinging jets are found in many industrial applications and specifically in ventilation systems. Mostly, these jets are turbulent and under certain conditions can be a source of discomfort in closed areas due to the high level of noise it can generates. Therefore, it is very important to understand the flow dynamics that is responsible of generating the acoustic field in order to control and reduce such phenomenon. In this paper, an experimental study of a rectangular impinging air jet on a slotted plate is considered for three different Reynolds numbers producing self-sustaining tones (Re = 4100, 5100, and 5900). The sound pressure and spatial velocity field are obtained simultaneously using four microphones located at different locations and SPIV technique. Results show that Re = 5100 correspond to a critical regime where there is a significant drop in the sound pressure level (SPL) that reached 5 dB when compared to a lower Reynolds number Re = 4100. The flow dynamic analysis suggests that this drop in SPL could be contributed to the path followed by the large coherent structure at Re = 5100, where they are deviated in the transverse direction along the wall leading to low energy transfer from the dynamic field to the acoustic one. However, at Re = 4100 and 5900 the peak in SPL could be contributed to the two paths followed by the large coherent structures and particularly to the path where vortices hit the slotted plate before escaping through it. This path is responsible for the optimization of energy transfer from the dynamic field to the acoustic field. Moreover, at Re = 5900 the spectrogram of the instantaneous frequency and instantaneous flow dynamics results show that the acoustic frequencies (160 Hz and 320 Hz) are generated by symmetric and anti-symmetric modes respectively. This unusual aspect is related to the sudden changes in vortex mode.

Efficient calculation of the three-dimensional sound pressure field around a slab track

The wavenumber domain Boundary Element (2.5D BE) method is well suited to calculate the acoustic sound field around structures with a constant cross-section along one dimension, such as noise barriers or railway track. By expressing the sound field along this dimension in wavenumber domain, the numerical model is reduced from a 3D model to 2D model at each wavenumber. A consequence of the required discrete Fourier domain representation is that the sound field is represented by periodically repeating sections, of which only one section is physically meaningful. The resolution and the number of required wavenumbers increases with the desired length and spatial discretisation of this section. Describing the sound field adequately to auralise the sound without disturbing artefacts requires a large number of wavenumbers (and thus 2D BE computations), which is not feasible for large geometries. Here, a method is introduced that allows the calculation of the 3D sound field by solving a single 2D BE problem for a dense frequency spectrum and interpolating at higher wavenumbers. The calculation efficiency is further increased by precalculating the acoustic transfer functions between each BE surface element and receiver positions. Combining these two methods allows for efficient calculation of the 3D sound field around acoustically rigid structures such as slab tracks. The numerical approach is validated by comparison with a standard 2.5D BEM calculation and an analytical solution. Precalculated transfer functions to calculate the sound radiation from railway track, which are made available online, are illustrated. An example application is presented.

Radial sandwich radial-bending composite transducer designed based on acoustic black hole theory

A novel radial sandwich radial bending composite transducer is proposed based on the increasing amplitude of bending waves in the structure of an acoustic black hole (ABH). The transducer consists of a radial sandwich circular ring transducer and an outer acoustic black hole structure. The existence of the ABH structure realizes the conversion between radial vibration and bending vibration of the transducer, and improves the acoustic radiation performance of the transducer. Based on the one-dimensional acoustic black hole bending vibration theory, the bending vibration equation of the circular ABH structure is given. An analytical model of the ABH structure bending vibration is established by using the method of geometrical-acoustics, and the eigen frequency of its bending vibration is given. The relationship between the electromechanical conversion performance and the size of the transducer is discussed by using the finite element method, and the results show that when the eigen frequency of the bending vibration of the ABH structure is close to the resonant frequency of the transducer, the electromechanical coupling coefficient of the transducer reaches a maximum value. The radiation sound pressure field, radiation sound intensity, and radiation directionality of the transducer in the air are also analyzed by the finite element method. The results indicate that the presence of the ABH structure can improve the electromechanical conversion performance of the bending vibration of the transducer, enhance the acoustic radiation performance of the transducer, make the transducer exhibit radiation directionality and the lower order of the bending vibration mode of the ABH structure, the stronger radiation directionality of the transducer towards the left side and the right side. Finally, in order to verify the accuracy of the simulation and theory, we made a prototype transducer and carried out the experimental test of transducer electrical impedance and vibration mode. The measured results are in good agreement with the simulation results. The displacement distribution of the radiation surface of the transducer at resonance frequency is measured, which verifies the bending vibration mode of the ABH structure. This type of transducer is expected to be used as acoustic projector in the air or water.

Study on bandgap extension and defect states of hybrid primitive structure phononic crystals

Based on the two-dimensional square lattice phononic crystal of the steel-gas system, a hybrid primitive phononic crystal is constructed by replacing the single-cylinder primitive with a tangent double-cylinders primitive structure and inserting the tangent double-cylinders primitive in the center of the lattice. The plane wave expansion method is used to calculate the band structure according to the variation of the extremal positions of the band. It is found that compared with the simple single-cylinder primitive lattice structure, the new structure can significantly separate the degenerate states of the band, and obtain a huge bandgap with a width of 5 times the simple single-cylinder lattice at low filling ratios. Its mechanism can be revealed by the inconsistency of the sound pressure field in the boundary direction. Meanwhile, adding the double-cylinders primitive to the center of the simple single-cylinder lattice produces an effect similar to the interstitial impurity defect, which can excite high-quality localized states of defects in the bandgap. The filling ratio of the defect body mainly affects the position of the localized states and the locality of sound pressure, whereas the orientation of the defect body has almost no effect on the distribution of sound field and the position of defect states.

Modelling sound particle motion in shallow watera).

Fish species and aquatic invertebrates are sensitive to underwater sound particle motion. Studies on the impact of sound on marine life would benefit from sound particle motion models. Benchmark cases and solutions are proposed for the selection and verification of appropriate models. These include a range-independent environment, with and without shear in the sediment, and a range-dependent environment, without sediment shear. Analysis of the acoustic impedance illustrates that sound particle velocity can be directly estimated from the sound pressure field in shallow water scenarios, except at distances within one wavelength of the source, or a few water depths at frequencies where the wavelength exceeds the water depth.

Admittance boundary conditions and sound pressure field estimation of vibro-acoustic systems using an extended Kalman filter and parametric model order reduction

Time-domain vibro-acoustic finite element simulations have been recently used in auralization and virtual sensing. However, when comparing the transient response based on a finite element model to actual measurements, often discrepancies are seen due to, amongst others, the presence of inaccurate admittance boundary conditions. To achieve accurate time-domain simulations, these uncertainties need to be included in the time-domain simulation. In this paper, the admittance boundary conditions are modelled using the superposition of several passive functions whose parameters are considered as the additional states in an extended Kalman filter scheme. Finite element models for vibro-acoustic systems including admittance boundary conditions have a high computational cost and result in frequency-dependent damping matrices. To get a smaller time-domain model, stability-preserving model order reduction is employed to reduce the number of degrees of freedom while maintaining a good accuracy and stability. Furthermore, to preserve the parameter dependency, parametric model order reduction based on a Taylor series expansion is employed. Experiments are performed on a vibro-acoustic system including a foam layer which can be represented by admittance boundary conditions. These conditions are identified and it is shown that the predicted sound field pressure is improved significantly as compared to the direct time-domain simulation.