Figure 2-3 Response characteristics for the three basic weighting networks

10 0 -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 -70 -80 10 100 1000 5000 10000 20000 Frequency (Hz)
(Source: American National Standards Institute)

A B C

Example 2.1: Calculating Sound Pressure Level (SPL) The sound pressure inside a diesel lorry is 2 Pa. What is the corresponding SPL in dB? Solution:

Lp

2 10 log 10 2 10 6 20 log10 10 5 20 5 100dB

Example 2.2: Calculation on Sound Power and Intensity If a sound source has a pressure of 2000 Pa, compute a) b) c) (given the SPL in dB the sound intensity in Watt/m2 the sound power in Watt = 1.185 kg/m3, c = 340 m/s)

Solution: a)

Lp

10 log 10 10 log 10

2000 10 6 20 10 6

4 ,000 ,000 400 4 10 log 10 10 18

= 40 dB.

b)

P2 c

(2000 10 -6 ) 2 1.185 340

9.90 10 -9

Watt m2

c)

W 4 r 2l 4 10

9.90 10

12.5 10 6 Watt

Example 2.3: Conversion of Sound Pressure to SPL What is the increase in dB that is corresponds to a 5 times increase in sound pressure? Solution:
2

L p1 Lp2
If,

10 log 10

P1 Pref
2

10 log 10
P2 = 5P1

P2 Pref

Then,
2

Lp2 Lp2

P1 10 log 10 25 Pref
2

10 log 10 25

10 log 10

P1 Pref

LP2 LP1 = 14 dB.

Example 2.4: Conversion of Sound Pressure to SPL What is increase in dB corresponds to a tripling a sound pressure? Solution:
2

LP2

10log 10

3P1 Pref
2
2

= 10 log (3) + 10log 10 = 9.5 + LP1 LP2 LP1 = 9.5 dB.

P1 Pref

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Example 2.5: Addition of Sound Level Four sounds from different sources are to be combined to obtain a total sound pressure level (SPL). The four SPLs are 90 dB, 88 dB, 88 dB and 85 dB. What is the total SPL. Solution: By using Table 2.2: 90 88 88 85

92

90

94 dBA

Example 2.6: Addition of Sound Level If two sound sources have equal pressure of 2000 Pa, determine the total SPL in dB. Solution: Pt2 = (2000 x 10-6) + (2000 x 10-6) = 4 000 000 x 10-12 + 4 000 000 x 10-12 = 8 000 000 x 10-12 LP2

10log 10
= 43 dB.

2000 10 6 20 10 6

Example 2.7: Addition of Sound Level Determine the SPL from combining the following five levels; 58, 62, 58, 65 and 68. Solution: By using Table 2.2: 58 58 62 65 68

61

67

68

71 dBA

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Example 2.8: Calculation of Leq Consider the case where a noise level of 90 dBA exists for 10 minutes and it followed by a reduced noise level of 70 dBA for 30 minutes. What is the equivalent continuous equal energy level for the 40 minutes period? Assume 5 minute sampling interval. Solution:

L Aeq

10 log 10

1 10 10 0 .1( 90 ) 60 min

30 10 0 .1( 70 )

= 84.11 dBA Example 2.9: Calculation of Leq An employee in a timber mill uses a saw to cut timber into different length. While the saw is idle, it produces a level of 90 dBA at his work position. When it cuts into timber, it produces a level of 95 dBA. An exposure of 8 hours per day is assumed. If the saw runs continuously and actually only cuts for 10 % of the time when it is switched on, compute his LAeq. Solution:

L Aeq

10 log 10

1 7 .2 10 0 .1( 90 ) 8 hr

0 .8 10 0.1( 96 )

= 91.1 dBA

2-8

LOUDNESS

Loudness is a persons perception of the strength of sound. It carries both the sound pressure level and frequency. This follows from the variation in sensitivity of the ear with frequency. For this reason, measurement of SPL in dB is not a very accurate measure of loudness. The ear is not equally sensitive to all frequencies. Sound entering the ear is continuously frequency-analyzed along the cochlear partition, acting as a number of narrow band filters. The ear is most sensitive from 1000 Hz to 5000 Hz. The units used to label the equalloudness are called phons. Since the ear is most sensitive to frequencies in the range 1 to 5 Hz, sound at these frequencies would be rate much louder than one at the same SPL at other frequencies. To compensate for the frequency-dependent sensitivity of the ear, sound level meters are designed to make allowance for this behaviour of the ear by incorporating electronic weighting networks. The A weighting network is the most important network. The unit is dBA. However, the dBA is a single figure rating. It does not provide information on the frequency content of a noise source.

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