Department of Mechanical Engineering

Experiment No. 6
TITLE: - Noise measurement and analysis
AIM: To measure the noise levels from a source and study the plot of decibel values against
time.
THEORY:
Introduction:
Sound may be described as a disturbance that propagates through a physical (elastic)
medium. Sound propagates as longitudinal waves in which the particles of the medium
oscillate parallel to the direction of propagation. Technically, sound is a pressure oscillation
in the air which radiates away from the source. When these disturbances impinge on the ear
drum, they set the same in vibration. The resulting physiological response/sensation in the
human auditory system is described as sound. Any unpleasant or unwanted sound, which
irritates the listener and causes physical or mental harm, is termed as 'noise'.

Sound Power Level:

It signifies the acoustic power radiated by a given sound source with respect to the
international reference of 10 -12W. the sound power Lw is defined as

L = 10 log W dB. re. W

W
Where,
W = sound power of source
Wre = 10 -12 (reference power)

Sound Intensity Level (SIL):

This is the most common decibel scale used and measured directly on sound level meter.
Sound intensity in a given direction is defined as the average sound power passing through an
area of 1m2 perpendicular to the given direction. For a spherical sound wave, sound intensity
in W/m2 is given by -
p
I=
ρv
Where, p = RMS sound pressure in N/m2
 = density of medium in kg/m3
v = Velocity of sound in m/s
The decibel for sound intensity level (SIL) is defined as-

L = 10 log I dB. re. I

I
Mechanical Vibrations Lab Manual Prepared By Prof. Chavan A.G.
 Department of Mechanical Engineering

Where, Iref = the reference sound intensity, usually 10 -12 W/m2

As the intensity of sound is proportional to the square of max sound pressure in N/m2, the
sound pressure level is given by-
p p
L = 10 log ≡ 20 10 log dB. re. p .
p p
Where, p and p ref are RMS pressures in N/m2
Pref = 2 x 10 -5 N/m2

Relationships between sound power and sound intensity level:

For a spherical sound wave propagating from a point source, the intensity I at a distance ‘r’
is given by-
W
I=
4πr
This is known as the inverse square law, wherein the intensity of sound is inversely
proportional to its distance from its source. The energy is assumed to be evenly spread over
an entire surface area ‘S’ of the sphere with radius ‘r’. It follows that-
W
L = 10 log dB
W
Substituting W = SI and Wref = SrefIref in the above eqn, we get-
SI
L = 10 log
S I
or

L = 10 log + 10 log

Taking the reference surface to be a sphere of surface area (Sref) 1m2, the above equation may
be written as-
L = L + 10 log S
2
Where, S = 4πr
Relationships between sound intensity and sound pressure level:
p
I=
ρv
Substituting this in the equation for Li, we have -
p p
L = 10 log = 10 log
2ρvI ρvI
This expression may be rewritten as –

Mechanical Vibrations Lab Manual Prepared By Prof. Chavan A.G.

 Department of Mechanical Engineering

= 10 log
ρvI

Taking (pref)rms = 2 x 10-5 N/m2, Iref = 10-12 W/m2, v = 411 kg/m2-s

The second term becomes
10 log10 [(2 x 10-5)2 / (415 x 10 -12)] = 10 log10 (400/415) = - 0.16
Therefore,
Li = Lp – 0.16
For all practical purposes, the sound pressure level is taken to be numerically equal to the
sound intensity level.
Free-field 1/2" Microphone Type MPA201

Free-field 1/2" Microphone Type MPA 201 is a 1/2" prepolarized free-field measurement
microphone for general sound measurements and for standardized noise measurements in
accordance with the requirements of IEC61672 Class 1 microphones. With its low inherent
noise and frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, it is very well suited for a wide range of
precision audio-frequency sound measurements. This rugged microphone is built to ensure
high stability under a variety of conditions. For example, the stainless steel alloy diaphragm
withstands polluted industrial environments. The diaphragm clamping ring is firmly secured
to ensure the microphone’s reliability, even when the microphone is used without its
protection grid. When the microphone is used without its protection grid, it can be easily
flush-mounted or inserted into closed volumes as it can be supported by the diaphragm
clamping ring.

Observation:
Sound Level Meter measured with the help of above microphone is found equal to
…………..dB
 Department of Mechanical Engineering

Conclusion:
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Mechanical Vibrations Lab Manual Prepared By Prof. Chavan A.G.