Example

 1. If a sound source has a pressure of 2000 µPa at 10 m distance, compute

a. The sound pressure level in dB
b. The sound intensity in 𝑊Τ𝑚2
c. The sound power in W
𝑘𝑔
Given that the reference pressure is 20 µPa and 𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑎𝑡 200 𝐶 = 1.185 ൗ𝑚3
 Noise Standards
 EU Noise Directive
 To protect workers from the risk related to sound exposure at place of work, EU
Directive (86/188/EEC) was introduced. The objective of the directive is to reduce the
level of noise experienced at work by taking action at the noise source. Two exposure
levels are used:
1. Daily personal noise exposure of a worker, LEP,d

𝑇𝑒
LEP,d = LAeq ,T𝑒 + 10 𝑙𝑜𝑔10
𝑇0
 EU Noise Directive

1 𝑇𝑒 𝑃𝐴 𝑡 2
Where LAeq ,T 𝑒 = 10 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 𝑇 0 𝑃 0 𝑑𝑡
𝑒

Te = daily duration of worker’s exposure to noise

T0 = 8h
PA = A weighted instantaneous sound pressure in Pa
 EU Noise Directive

1. Weekly average of the daily values LEP,w :

2
1 𝑚
LEP,w = 10 𝑙𝑜𝑔10 5 𝑘=1 100.1(LEP ,d )𝑘

(LEP,d )𝑘 = the value LEP,d for each of the m working days in the week being considered.
 EU Noise Directive

 The EU directive specifies that when the daily exposure

level exceeds 85 dBA, the worker is advised of the risk
and trained to use ear protectors. If the daily exposure
level exceeds 90 dBA, a programme to reduce levels
should be put in place.
US Department of Labour Permissible Noise
Exposure Levels

 The US Department of Labour (1971 to 1979) defined the maximum

permissible duration of exposure to noise levels which are presented below:

Sound Level (dBA) Duration (h/day)

90 8
92 6
95 4
97 3
100 2
102 1.5
105 1
110 0.5
115 < 0.25
 Noise Control
 When the noise level received is excessive, it can be controlled by taking into
consideration one or all of the three elements involved:
 Source Transmission path Receiver
 Source: The source could be modified by the acoustic treatment to machine
surfaces, changes in design etc.
 Transmission path: This could be modified by containing the source inside a sound
insulating enclosure, by the construction of a noise barrier or by the provision of
absorbing materials along the path.
 Receiver: The protection of the receiver by altering the work schedule or by the
provision of ear protection is mainly applicable to those working with noisy
machinery.
 Noise Control

 The control of noise is achieved using one or more of a variety of measures. In

particular, individual control measures are discussed under the categories of
 isolation
 suppression and
 shielding.
 Typical applications of these techniques are presented in Table below with
respect to community (e.g., home and office), equipment (e.g., construction
and manufacturing), and transportation (e.g., air, rail, and road) sources. The
level of noise control required is generally dictated by local or national laws.
 ISOLATION
 Noise reduction at its source is the basis of isolation control measures.
 Replacement: Often, significant noise reduction at the source is achieved by
replacement of deteriorating or simply outdated equipment and engines with newer
models that perform more quietly.
 Air Sources: The movement of large volumes of air and use of high-pressure air are two
source control issues. The noise from the former may be lessened by using a lined
bellows between the air source (outside) and the air-handling equipment (inside). On
the other hand, control of high-pressure air noises requires design modifications, such
as redesigned nozzles or orifices, and/or operational changes, such as an increase in air
volume with a corresponding reduction in velocity.
 Vibration: Disturbing noises from production machines are the result of structural
transmission noise and vibration. Control measures include isolation of the source by
use of elastic discontinuities at joints and/or machine mounts. Isolation means and
materials include springs, shock absorbers, cork, rubber, and plastics.
 ISOLATION
 Damping: Some structural source noises and vibrations are a result of materials used in construction.
In these cases, substitution of construction materials is a control. When noise levels are not highly
bothersome, special damping tapes or spray-on coatings are successful control measures.
 Enclosure: When vibration isolation and damping techniques are not sufficient controls, the source
may be enclosed in a separately prepared enclosure. The simplest approach is to use a hinged cover
especially prepared with sound-insulating material; an example is the common use of covers on high-
speed printers in an office area.
 Valving: Liquid flow, especially from cavitating conditions, and air- or steam flow, downstream of a
significant pressure drop, are sources of noise that can be reduced by valving. Special valves and
operating techniques are used for liquid flow situations. An effective measure for compressible fluids
(air) is to use two or more valves in the pressure-reduction step and, thus, reduce turbulence, which in
turn reduces noise. In addition, localized insulation wrapping of downstream conduit provides added
noise control.
 Location: Space planning in the home, office, and manufacturing plant offers an opportunity to locate
or relocate a noise source to an isolated site within the occupied structure. Normally, remote locating
of noise sources is considered in design of new facilities. Thus, location controls tend to be most
appropriate to additions of new processes and/or equipment as part of an industrial plant
modification. Assessment of noise potential before installation is a major factor in the cost-
effectiveness of this control measure.
 SUPPRESSION
 For noise control near the source, suppression techniques are used. Most apply filtering to noise
transmitted through the air.
 Hearing Protection: Especially for construction and industrial workers with high on-the-job
exposures to noise, earplugs and earmuffs are effective in noise suppression for hearing protection.
Some earmuffs and earplugs provide best results at higher or lower frequencies.
 Conduits: High-pressure transmission lines for liquids and gases as well as solid conveyor tunnels are
conduits—transmitters of sources of noise. Control measures include internal liners or (multilayer)
coverings. Sheet lead, plastics, glass, fiber, and rock wool are some of the materials used in these
applications.
 Mufflers: A very effective approach for middle- and high-frequency noise control is the muffler. The
unit is designed to attenuate sound waves with minimal back pressure. The results are achieved
using baffles and reduced velocities. For example, a typical muffler includes a cylinder-type unit
wherein the outer portion from a through pipe conduit is a number of side cavities where the noise
suppression occurs. In some cases, a porous packing is used to increase efficiency. Airflow to the
cavities is regulated by the size and number of holes from the center section.
 Silencers: Depending on the required noise reduction, operating conditions, and noise frequency,
silencers are used on equipment exhaust systems. Silencers, like mufflers, are commercially
available in a variety of shapes Two types of silencers are dissipative and reactive. Dissipative
silencers are good for high-frequency sounds and rely on sound-absorbing liners. For low-frequency
application, reactive silencers are used. They function by reflecting sound energy back toward the
noise source.
 SHIELDING
 The third category of noise control is shielding and is the approach most distanced
from the noise source.
 Absorption: Indoors sound levels tend to accumulate; however, use of absorptive
materials on ceiling sand walls will reduce the area’s overall noise level and lessen
the additive effect of background noise on a machine operator. In a commercial and
residential setting, floor coverings further reduce overall noise levels. Furthermore,
in an office setting, fixed and movable partitions reduce noise levels, and the
developments in modular furniture are very cognizant of needs to control noise.
 Barriers: Sources freely radiate noise in the outdoors; this is the scenario for
highway (and railway) noise conditions. Buildings, hills, and other terrain features
function as noise barriers. Engineered barriers include walls and/or earthen berms.
Noise control combines with visual screening to use barriers as a control measure for
new and expanding major transportation routes through populated areas. The
designer should consult the governing authority (and suppliers) for applicable design
and construction requirement sand sizes and are typically of metal construction.