CATALOG DATA:
A course that treats the fundamentals of sound and noise production, transmission and measurement. Theortetical, experimental, environmental and legislative topics.TEXTBOOK:
Kinsler, Frye, Coppens and Sanders, Fundamentals of Acoustics, John Wiley, NY, 1985.GOALS:
Provide a broad coverage of the fundamentals of the theory and measurement of acoustics and noise ranging from the production of sound from vibrations and waves, acoustical devices, aeroacoustics, sound in enclosed spaces, etc.Topics:
- Introductory concepts: definition of sound and noise levels, decibels, spectra and character of sound; hearing and the ear; loudness, industrial noise and noise legislation.
- Review of linear oscillator theory: mass, stiffness and damping, one degree-of-freedom systems, complex solutions and impedance; Helmholtz resonators; simple analog filters.
- One dimensional wave equation: modeal solution (separation of variables) and traveling wave solutions (D'Alembert's solution).
- Concepts of work, power, energy density and intensity for harmonic plane and spherical waves; acoustical impedance in near and far fields.
- Introduction to aeroacoustics: monopoles, dipoles, quadropoles, subsonic and supersonic flows, doppler effect, pressure, velocity and intensity fields; Lighthill's theory.
- Frequency spectra: periodicity, Fourier series, Fourier integrals and the discrete Fourier transform.
- Acoustical devices: silencers (engine mufflers), microphones, loud speakers, accelerometers, resonators.
- Acoustical measurements: sound level meter, signal generators, calibrated source, analyzers; class measurements.
- Acoustics of enclosures: absorption, reflection and transmission of sound; sound levels in rooms, mass law, reverberation rooms and anechoic chambers.
Computer Usage:
As needed to solve problems; no specific computer assignments.Laboratory Projects:
Numerous demonstrations ranging from properties of hearing, vibrations of continuous systems (higher modes and frequencies), wave propagation, use of sound level meters and narrow band filters..Practice and Assessment Methods:
Regular assignment and class solutions of homework problems are given, both from the text and supplementary; one midterm and a final examination.ABET category content as estimated by faculty member who prepared the course description:
Engineering Science: 3.0 credits or 100%
Engineering Design: 0.0 credits
Prepared by: Professor Raymond Brach
Last Update: October 22, 1998