Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Basic Theory
SOUND AND VIBRATION
?asilion ol ,
mgximrJm \
displacement \
Amp.litude
?r.*i T
uq, d isplacsmeni
during, vibrafian)
Fure Tones
'p- f
where Io = period {s/cycle}
f = frequency {cycles/s or Hz}
'Abse is unwanled sound {e.9., annoying sound made by other peopre or very
lcud saund whieh may cau$s
heanng loss .
)
2 grsc rlEtrY
t
For example, a frequency of 63 Hz has a period Iof 1/S3::*0.02 slcycle
{roughly 30 times longer than the period at ?OO0 H:} "
dt
-{} Compreggian
5 (rnaiimum pressure)
L
6-
€
o
L &(l Normal almospheric
:a PresSure
tn
{t} €
g
6_
.t' R.arefaction
c:: (mininurn preEs$re)
$
tn
lirne,
Complox $ounds
ersn ffrmv 3
FREOUENCY OF SOUND
Freq"uencg (Hz)
5l. r b5 t50 et\n I 000 2000 +000
I
\l I
Violin
E,DETOAB
I octa{e
7 octave,g
4 ::3:::nicpY
WAVELENGTH
As sound passss lhrough air, the to-and{ra motion of the particles alter-
nat*ly pushes together and draws apart adjacent air panicles, forming regions
of rarefaction and compression. Wavelengtlt is the distance a sound wave
travpls during one cycle of vibration. lt alsc is the distance between adjacent
regions where identicalconditions of panicle displacement occur, as shown
below by the wire spring {called a "slinky" roy } . When shaken ar one end,
the wave moves along the slinky, but the pafiicles only move back and forth
about their normal po$ition$"
ry
rWlvelEn6f h,
Sound waves in air also are analogous to the ripples {ar waves} caused
by a stone dropped into still water. The concentric ripples vividly show pat-
terns of molecules transferring energy to adjacent rnolecules along the surface
of the water. ln air, however, sound spreads in all diroctions.
To find the wavelength of sound in air at a specific frequency, use the fol-
lowing formula:
1130 .
'" f
where I = wavelength {ft}
f= frequency {Hz}
Shown below is the wavelength in air from the to-and-fro rnotion of a vi-
braring tuning fork. The movement of the prongs ahemately compresses and
rarefies adjacent air particles. This cyclical mction causes a chain reacdon be-
tween adjacent air panicles so that the waves {but nor the air parlicles } prop-
agate away from the tuning fork. Remember sound travels, but the elastic me-
dium only vibrales.
r- Ra.cl aci on ( dieot aced air
/ part,cles s?re^d'?p2&)
Wavelen<th ( r)
/ -Co^oression (d,gpla ced air
r----1 / J/ ?artictes togeti'sr)
Pr.rshed
luning forlr
(urt,h Pnon5e
viuratihf, )
n.qsc rHroRv 5
SOUI\ID SPECTRUM
Because mgst sounds are complex, flucrualing in pressure, level, and fre-
quency content, the relationships between sound pressure level and frequency
are required for meaningful analysis {data sc plotted are called a saund spec*
truml . This requirement is similar to indoor climate control, where thermal
comfort cannot be specified as a 70'F temperature alone because comfort
also depends on relative humidity. air motion, and so on. Sound spectra are
used to describe the magnitude of sound energy at many frequencies. The fre-
quency scale given below is an octaye-band scale because the ratio of succes-
sive frequencies is 2:1. the ratio for an oclave in rnusic. ln acoustics. the eX-
tent or width of octave bandS is geometric. For example, ths octave band for a
center frequency of 125 Hz contains sound en€rEy from 125 + '/2 Uzrc 125
x €He.
The line graph ar the right depicts the octave-band $pectrum for a noise
consisting of the sound energy measured within octave bands {see bar graph
at left). The line graph is plotted at the respective center frequencies of the
bands. Also shown on the graph is the sound level of a 512-Hz tuning fork.
Note thal the tuning fork produces sound energy at a single frequency only" A
tuning fork will vibrate at the same frequency if struck lightly or forcefully, but
the sound levels produced can differ greatly.
6 aas*:;.€cqv
VELOCITY SF $OUND
Air
ftr ))
$teel
Fan-coiIunii
Airborne
gound Pin (contccts {ioor
cauSt n8 glrucl,vre - oorag
sound )
CireulaNing pump
6tructurel iee
Reiniorcing: sLeel .(stzoel
has tess 1amptng'.+t1an
cancreie go 6ouid uili oe
Concrete transrniiied rnore aasi lg )
ensrc rueonv 7
FREQUENCY RAIJGES OF AUDIBLE SOUND$
Hearing ranges for both young and older persons 2A years ald ) are >
shown below. ,A healthy young person is capable of hearing sound energy
from about 20 to 2O,00O Hz. Hearing sensitivity, especially the upper fre-
quency limit, diminishes with increasing age even without adverse effects from
diseases and noise-a condition called presbycusis. Long*term and repeated
exposure to intense sounds and noises of everyday living can cause permanent
hearing damage {called socrbcusr's}, and short-term expcsure can cause tern-
poraryloss. Conoequently, the extenl of the hearing sensitivity for an individual
depends on many factor$, including age, s€x, ethnicity, previous exposure to
high noise levels frorn the workplaee, gunfire, power tcols, rsck music. etc. All
other hearing losses {e.g., caused by mumps, drugs, accidents} are ealled
nosocus,'s. An audiologist should be consulted if a "ringing" sensation occurs in
ears aftsr exposure to moderately loud noise or if sounds Seem muffled or dull.
Also shown below are frequency range$ for human speech {divided into
consonants, which contain most of the information for articulation. and
vowe/s!, piano rnusic, steroo ssunds. and acoustical laboralory test$ {e.9.,
tests used to determine ab$orption and isolation properties of building mater*
ials). Human speech contains energy from about 125 to 8000 Hz' Women's
vocal cords are genetally thinner and shoner than men's, sa the wavelengths
produced are smaller. This is lhe reason the female frequency cf vibration for
speech is normally higher. Wavelengths in Sl and inglish units are indicated by
the scales at the top of the graph above the correspondinE frequency.
Wnclenglh ,ez\eg
{4n t2na 1lm 6,!n 2.S* l.4n 0.'lm 3{cln l?crn &,6cnr 4.3cn 2.14 lcn
1r+{' 7t' 3gI rg' E' 4.5' a,?5' lll&.' a/'{ a{ f,4 ?;
tt tltltr
I
& 31 5 63 tz5 25a 500 obo zo'oo qotoo aobo
sr*
Frequencg (r{r)
'Vibra*ons below 20 Hz are noa audible. bul csn be fel1.
Reference
E. H. Berger et al. {eds. } , Noise and Hearing Conservation Manual, American lndustrial
Hygiene Association, Akron, Ohio, 1986.
8 easc rl€mv
SFN$ITIVITY OF HEARING
The graph below shows the trernendous range o,f sound levels in decibels
{abbreviated dB }" and frequency in hettz over which healthy young persons
can hear" Also shown on the graph is the frequency range ior "conversational"
speech, which occurs in the region where the ear is most senshive. For com-
parison, the region where symphonic music occurs is indicated on the graph by
the large shaded area extending at mid-frequencies from below 35 dS lo sver
1OO dB {called dynarnic range}. The dynamic range for individual instrumenrs
can vary from 3O dB (woodwindsi to SO dB istringsi. The lowest level of
rnusical sound energy that tan be detected by the audience largely depends on
the baekground noise in the musie hall {see Chap. 4}, and the upper level de-
pends on the acous{cal characterisiics of the hall {see Chap. 3 } . Electroni*ally
amplified rock mu$ic in arenas and coliseums far exceeds the maximum sound
levels for a large symphonic orchestra. Rock music, purposefully amplified to
be ar the threshold of feeling {"tingling" in rhe ear}. is considered to be a sig-
nificant cause of sociocusis.
\/
-\--"/
Dgna,nic range
(g
{or sgrnphonia
..9 rissic
,tl
{i
-s
3
<)
ctr
f requencg ( t'la)
senr,t'ivitLl ocarrS
l"laxitn.rm
here a14000 ril d'ie to
ragonanca ;n ear c?nal
.gecibelisthe unh u$ed ro expres$ the pressure {or intensily} level of *ound en€rgy. ln this book. sounellevelis
alway; measured tn decibels by precision sound level meters at a specilie fi*queney or weighting.
sssc rHeonv I
INVERSE-SOUARE T3W
Disiance dr doubled ai
gosit,ion 2 ( erea oi uate
qvadrql?d,5o ;nie.nsii! is Vq)
lglitee {d,1
D, stance
q]' 2d,
.W
'- 4nd2
where ls sound intensity {W/mr}
Wx sound power {W}
d = distance from sound source (m )
10 g*stc rH€oRY
The rnversa-square hw tor sound is:
,,
tz= 14\'
\dl
Is scund intonsity {Wlmt}
d= distance from sound sourcs tft sr rnl
an$crHEoRY 11
DECIBEL$
.dB wd
ren
- l0t'
( Threghald ol pain)
.I
(Threshold of audibilitg )
The iilustrarisn on the following page gives the decibel level of some fa-
miliar sounds. The human hearing range frcm the threshcld of audibility at o dB
ro the threshold of pain at 130 dB represenrs a tremendous intensity ratio of
10 trillion {1O,OOO,OO0,O00.OO0) to '1. This is such a wide range of hearing
sensilivity that it may be hard to imagine ar first. For example, if a bathraom
scale had a sensitivity range comparable to that of the human ear, it would
have to be sensitive enough to weigh both a hurnan hair and a 30-story
building! Logarithms allow the huge range of human hearing sensitivity to be
conveniently represented by smaller numbers.
It is difficulr ro measure sound intensity directly" However. sound intensity
is proportionsl to ths square of sound pressure, which can more easily be
measured by sound level meters. ln air under normal atmospheric conditions.
sound intensity level and scund pressure level are nearly identical"
1 2 easc rHeonv
COMMON SOUNDS IN DECIBELS
Some commr:n, easily recognized sounds are listed below in order of in-
creasing scund levels in decibels. The sound levels shown for occupied rooms
are only example activity levels and do nor r€present crkeria for design. Note
also that thresholds vary among individuals.
9ublaciivo
Dqqibqlq * 9rrmpleg gval uetion
Thrashold ---{ r30 r Jet aircrrsr during rakao{r ( goo +r ,ru, :illiiri?Y
o* prin
la0 (uilh elect ronic ampiificai,lon)
J-I
Thrgshold -*{ r'l-lerd
"ocli'band
of {teling
:lH*'ffiiJJ,)",,,. ai raru {i a,rasr o"r'^;nr
'0 H
loo
lt*iahl![,(!1*],iff.1
-rv JPrialin6
an press
ls,.*, I H Ver,{ loud
o Pneumatii concraLe bncrker A "
lConrputer e+uipnent roon H
Threrhald *{ bOt o Ca$'e,e|e u,iilr so'ind-re{lecling svrlzc.zs
ol heaning loss
( long-teFm
l0 . b-757 etrcref|cabin durinr $li<trt =E Uoua
a Cracr<l ia{ of ?leslie Sood ,*r?ap[ers (2ll auag)
er.Posu re )
fl
60 aNear hi(hurau tre$f ic ( r,rhen ) 55dbA, road -a
Sgaach and rsil-irstfic 8nno3 rno€f people) E
50 o0{f ice aEiivitirs Hoae.are
H
t+0 l9E{t *l'erea nrugie in reaidenae
.dBA are weiglrred valuGs rneasured by r sound level rneter. See page 31 {or details oi electronic weighring net'
works which modiil the sensirivitY of met€rs.
f50 ft from a molorcycle can equal lhe noise level al less than 2000 tt frorn a ier aircraft.
lContinuous exposure to sound energy abcve 8O dg,A ean be hgzardouc to heahh afid can cause hearing loss lor
some pargons.
ansc r*onv 13
ruOfSE REDt,CTIOI\J WITH DISTANCE
Outdooro in the open and away from obstructlons, scund energy from
poinr sources drcps off by 6 dB for each doubling of the distance from the
source. {,According to ih€ inverse*square law, the intensity ratio for a doubling
of distanee is 32 = 4, and rhe corresponding decibel reduction is 10 log 4, or
6 dB.) Saund energy from line source$ {e.g., stream of autornobiles or rail-
road cars) drops off by 3 dB for each doubling of disrance. This is because
line sources consist ol successive point $ourc6s which reinforce each other.
Thus the spread of sound energy is cylindrical, nof spherical. Cylindrical surface
areas increase in prcportion to the radius {distance}, whereas sphericalsur-
face areas incrsase in proportion to ihe square of the radius. The graph below
shcws noise raduction due to di$tance for paint and line sources. Additional
reductions can bo eaused by large buildings, earth berms, trees and vegetation,
and other environmental effects {see Chap. 4i"
25
rPaint solrCe (E?lne.tcai
i\ anreaoing at.6ab ?sr doroiing
al d.1f-tnLL )
2a
rO
-1J ,-
o
-rt
(, i0
,/ \'"!iii:ii{":\too r":.0:^*
t-l
3
al
ql
.9
? L.-
{t
2"0
r0 30 a0 lz0
Dist'ance {ratn source ( fl )
b= thort
{ imension
14 sesrc rrfonY
LOGARITHMS TUAPE rASY
tognrithm Basie*
tS = 100,000
10a = 10,000
103 = 10ffi
10c = 1O0
10t = 10
l0o = 1 { * means equal ro by definition }
10-1 0.1
=
10-? = O.01
10-3 = O.0O1
and when thg decimal point is shifted to the left by n plac*s, the number is to
be muhiplied by 1O'; when the decimal is shifted tCI the right by n places, the
number is ts be divided by 10". This may seem complicated at frst, but after
reviewing a few examples it should become routine.
nsserHconv 15
ln almost all acoustisal problems. it is not necessary to work with small
fractions of decibels" Use either the log table above, or a four-place log table,
and round the final answer to the nearest decibel. A pocket calculator that
finds an entire logarithm in one srep is very handy when working with decibels.
The following examples represent logs of very large and very small num-
bers. Remember, the first *tep is to arrange the number as a digit times 1O to
a power.
-;rHJ:rH:J
log {0.Ooo0?581 = log {3 x 10-5} - * los {*. ,o*
* - log {0.33 x 105) = - log {3 X 1ffl =
F4.aA
log {8,400,000,CI00.0} = log {8 x 10e} = 9"9*
Antilogarithms
whan the mantissa of a log falls between values in the log table on page
15, use the closest mantissa to find the corresponding numbei from 1 to g.
Properties of lngs
l. log xy * log y
= log x
2. logl=logx-logy
"Y
S. logx,xnlogx
4. logl=ff
'This propeny is impartam in acaucliial analysis b*c€us€ op€ning€ ln building olenrents have
no resistance to
sourd flow which then can be expressed as 0 dB el isolation.
l6 aasn THEoRY
Powers of 10 Review
*1-8:'
lCI.rr = 1O*3 x 10+12 ='l${-r+ t}} =1ge
You have now lesrned to hsndle powers of 1O and logarkhms. which arc
fundamental relationships needed to describe how hurnans perceive sound and
how building materials affect sound energy. Several examples are presented
below and on the following pages.
Exanples
Lr = 1O { 1O.95O9} = il10 dB
ensc rusmv 17
#,))il
?. Loud speech, msasured at 3 ft away. has a sound intensity level l, of 73 d8.
Find the conosponding intensity L
I
Lr = 10 log
10-o
73 = 10 rog
rok
Next, divide both sides nf the equarlon by 10"
I
7.3 = log 1o_1t
The above expression states that the log of a ratio ll/1Oaz1 is equal to 7.3.
l&hen the number for which the log is 7.3 {i.e., antilog ) is found, ser h equal
to ths ratio.
I
antilog (7.3)
I
= 1.995 x 107
Lfrom mantlssa taue I
ot pocket calcr-dator I
Therefore.
r.sgs x 10?
lo-t2
and by cross muhiplicatiun
t8 sasn fieonv
EXAMPLE PROBLEM I INVER$8.$OUARE TAW}
lOlf ( dr)
2. f the sound intensity / is known at a given distance in feet away from the
source, sound power W can be found by the following formula'
t= #x 10.76
By cross rnultiplication
w*4trdzx *$x
Since l, = 1O-3 Vy'/m2 at 1O ft awaY
BAsrcrHsoRY 1g
3, The intensity level ir ar 80 ft away can be found by the inverse-sguare law.
First, find the sound intensity I, at the location 8O ft away.
+=er
10-3 /AO\2
r, = \10/
10-3
s4
l2
641, = 1ft3
\
\
?eds
Sotnd lo to so
60urce 0ialance {ron sorlrac (+i)
2O aasr{ffiY
CHANGE$ IN $OUND LWEL
Change in Change in
Sound Level tdB) Apparent Loudness
'l lmperceptible {except for tones}
3 Just barely percaptible
6 ebarly noticeable "
10 About twice {or half ) as loud
20 About 4 times (or one-fourth)
as loud
*For example. distance to the point source ouldoors is halved or doubled'
The change in intensity level tor noise reduction, abbreviated NR) can be
found by:
NR=Lr-L:
and
Nn=10bsf
where NR = difference in sound levels betwe€n two conditions (dBl
Jr s souild intensity under one condirion (W/m')
lr = sound intensity under another condition {Wlm?)
fllote: By substitution of the inverse-square law expression {rom page 11 into the
above formula
NR = ro ,"- (*)
and therefore. in terms nf distance ratia drldl
NR = 2o'"r (*)
for point sources outdoors, where d's are the distanees
)l \
<-**"-p
t,' = 1O loq!
"lo
Bo = 1o,ogT#
B.o = los
#t
1.0x 108 =Jt-
10-12
lr=1'OX1O8x10*12
lr = 10{rVim?,lor onetrombone
2t s*sa THEoFY
DECIBFL ADDITION
I or mcre 0
When several decibel values are to be added, use the table to find the
combined value by adding the decibels twg at a time. For example. ro find the
combined sound level of 34 dB, 41 dB, 43 d8, and 58 dB, add as follows:
dv
nnn,
t1?
b=" '/
5g -r
o?
db
x\='lr
// -J
sb ,
\ Jbab
:,
sasc rxroRv 23
4_9.
\ ''o'
,to
= lQbAb
using differenr orders of addition may give results that differ by 1 dB,
which is normally not too significant. Howaver, to echieve the greatest preci-
sion, combine decibels logarithmically. For example, using a po"t
*t calculator,
first compute 1o', where x is the deciber varue divided uy to,
sum 1o'an-
swers for all decibels to be combined, and then take to tog
of the sum. The
simplified table method can be used to check your
The table also can be used to subtract deciber "n**er.-
varuos. Far exampre, it is
necessary to subtract decibel values to find the noise from printer
a if the mea-
sured noise level in a computer room is go dB and the background
noise level
with the printer turned off is 73 dB. According to the table, because
the rwo
decibel values differ by ?. subract 'r dB from the higher
varue. Therefore, the
printer noise alons would be gO
- 1 79 dB.
=
24 rasn ruronv
HUMAN EAR
The sketch below is a general description of how the human ear functions.
The ear can delect sounds over a wide range of loudness and frequency. ln
addition, it has the ability to detect individual sounds {e.9., familiar voice} from
within a complex background of loud, unwanted sounds (in a noisy, crswdod
room, called cocktail party effectl. However, perception of speech can be
nearly impossible at noise levels above 80 dBA {cf., J. C. Webster, "Noiee
and Communication" in D. M. Jonas and A. J. Chapman {eds.), JVoise and
Societr, Wiley, New York, 1984).
$ound energy, whieh travels through the ear canal, first irnpinges on the
eardrum membrane eausing h ts vibrate. Eardrum vibrations are then trang-
mitted acro$s tha middla ear by the lever action of three small bones {called
hanlm*r, anvf, and stirrup due to their shapes) . The motion of the eardrum
ovsr a large area is thereby converted into a more forceful motion over a
smaller area of the stirrup which contacts the oval window of the snail-shaped
cochlea. The middle ear cavity contains air at atmospheric pressure dus to the
eustachian tube which connects to the throat {this is why ir helps to swallow
l'4iddla ear
Auditorr{ nerve
l;bers (gend ira?ulEes
to braia ulhere
Ei1nals are interpreted
a3 gound)
sastc rHronv 25
I
lt
ili. or yawn when experiencing sudden pressure changes such as rapid airplane
descents). Vibrations of the stirrup are transmitted through fluid in the cochlea
to hair cells where they are converted into electrical impulses. These impulses
are transmitted by the auditory nerve fibers leading to the brain where they are
interpreted as sound,
Long-term and repeated expo$ure to loud sounds can cause permanent
damage to the inner ear {commonly called nerve deafness}. When it is neces-
sary to shout to be heard by normal-hearing persons less than 3 ft away, the
noise may ba hazardou$ to sars. ln this situation. lvear hearing-protection de-
vices sueh as earplugs {which fit snugly inta the ear canal} , earmufls (which
fit over and around the eari. or both when noise levels exceed absut 10O
dBA,
fieference
L. l. Langley et al., Oynamic Anatatny & Physialogy, McGraw-Hill, New york. '1974,
pp.33G345.
2S ansc ThEoRY
NOI$E EXPOSURF LIMITS
r20
I t5*
ll0
100
t 0r?rexposura
q0 \
&
dl
380
6t^
>tu
9 PermiEEible
-rl exPosure
c 60
a
o
$50
0 4 s 1Z 1620 ?+
Or:ra?ion per drg ( hr )
Alrhough exposure limit* are given in dBA, only sctave-band (or nar-
rower ) analysis of noise will give a more complete picture of how severe the
frequencies' This kind of detailed information {called
'frequency are at specific
problems
analysis) is also needed to determine th* corrective measures be-
from
cause solutia,ns for high-frequency noise problems may differ considerably
those far low-frequency. COrrective mea$ures can involve redueing noise levels
processes),
at the source is.g., by redesign of noisy equipment or industrial
interrupting the pgfh {see ChaPs. ! and 4 far principles ol naise control by ab-
sorption and isolation ! , protecting the receiver {by using individual hearing-
protecticn devices). or combination$ of all lhese measures^ An effective
'l
i.rearing conservation prograrn ncrmally consists of five phases: { } education
determine
{to inform about harmfulsffects of noise}, {2} sound surveys {to
daily noise exposure of workers and identify the sources of noisel, {3i engi-
neering and administrative controls {to reduce noise levels and, if necessary,
28 pa*c rnrorv
LOUDNES$ PERCEPTION
L
ot
120 phon qt
+)
.:
i't
.3.E
. tl
6o
uq)
clo *rL
cq,
f .:
; o{J
l.l
-*n
q)
lou 60und 9'n-
-q levels, sensit,ivilg d-6
tll*
:
C
$
io lou trequencras
oll
drops sharpl5
cfl
Freq,rrencu ( Hr)
')
References
ssscrHroRv 29
SOUND LEVEL METTNS
kb \ tlzclrical
Va
iompanentr )
Reference
G. M. Hynes, "How To select a Low*Priced $ound Level Meter," s*und and vibntion,
May 1983.
3) eAscllGmY
A-WFIGHTEO $OUND LFVFL$
cO
Crtrve 2 ( uihirloool
tub fillin6)
-€
f
6
tn
FreqrencS (Hz)
ln spite of these limitations, the dBA can be used to pr*dict community re-
spon$e to many kinds of environmental noise, including vehicular transportation
noise. Thgrefore, noise ordinances and regulalions use the dBA unit as a mea-
sure to specify limits on noise. Shown below is the frequency discrimination in
dB for A weighting. Note that ths curve connecting the plotted "weighting
d8s" is similar to the shape of equal loudness contours at low sound levels.
A Weighting {dB}
63 He 125 Hr 25O Hz 5OO H: 100O Hz 2000 Hz 4OOO Hz 8OO0 He
-15 - 15 *8 *3 +1 +1 *1
sastc rneonv 31
An example computation for sound level in dBA from sound levels in oc-
tave bands at 125 to 4O0O Hz follows:
t25 '14 - l5
250 68- I
:. il:
:fi>='="
a'
6{-s \,,
500 = ?l dsh
t0CI0 65*0
ri:i
:j :>='-
2000 $?.+
:: l=='-
I
/+n00 6?+ |
$2 sasa rlicony
SOUNO SFECTRA FOR COMMON NOISES
The graph below shows sound $pectra (plotted on a standard grid typi-
cally used by acoustical consultants ) for three common hausehold appliances.
The vacuum cleaner noise is broadband because it consists of a complex mix-
lure of sound generally spread throughout a wide range of the audible spec-
trum. The mixture may include "whining" noise from rhe suction air intake,
"whistling" noise from the corrugated hose, and "screeching" impeller noise.
The electric shaver and hair dryer are complex sounds which have identical
single-number sound levals iin dBA ) . However, they would not sound the
sams to a listener because their sound energy and frequency characteristics
differ widely. The shaver noise is "whining" and the hair dryer "hushing." Re-
member the equal loudness cantours show that individuals srs mcst sensitive
to high-frequency sounds such as whining, hissing, or whistling noises.
a0
Hone vrcuurn
fl r,leaner ( at' 9Nt')
s
,70
sl
g
g
(3
€
ci 60
; L
*"rJ
9A
,6
> Eleclrrc shavor Eleclric nair druer
q'
(*t \/t lll (att+l) ,'
{t 6$ d,$Fr
t-
:rn I.n
{r
{}
L
(l*
*s
c
s,
lft 30
bt 125 2.50 500 i00a 2000 4000 4000
0c1,ave,- band ce"rigr lreq.r;0nc5 ( H l)
Note: Sound pr€s$ure level l, is rnore conveniently measured than sound intensity level
1,. For mosl architectural acouslics situations, they can be considered equivalent. The
reference value for lo in this book is 0.OOOO! N lm2 { newtons per $quare meter } , tho
minimum sound pressure at 10O0 Hz audiblc to young persons with normal hearing'
Decibel v&lues are meaningless without a reference valuel
elsrc;xeonv 33
NOISE LEVEL DATA
The table presents noiss data at octave*band center frequencies for fa-
miliar residential, autdoor, transporrarion, and building activity noise sources"
lntermittent or peak noises may exceed the data given in the table by 5 dB or
Example 6ourcs 63 Hr 125 H2 ?30 lll 5OO lk 1O(n lb 2O{n flz 4O00 ll! SQOO llr
Home
Outdoors
Birds at l0 ft 50 5? 54 57
Cicadas 35 5l s4 48 57
Larga dog at 50 ft (barkingl 50 58 68 7A oq s2 48 72
Lawn rnowgr at 5 ft 85 87 86 84 8'r 74 70 72 86
Rstol shot s1 250 ft {poak impulse ievelsl 83 9t g9 rc2 106 105
Suri ar 10 to 15 ft (rnod?rare sessl 71 72 7A 71 67 64 58 w78
Wind in lrees {10 mi/h} aa .F
37 37 35 43
Transprytarion
lfiteriors
Amplified rock rnusic perfcrmance {large l't6 117 1r9 116 r18 115 109 lQa 121
arena l
AE
Audiovisual room 89 92 90 8S QA
so 94
Aud'torium (applausgl $0 68 75 7q 85 OA
76 65 88
Oassroom
Co.fre{ equipmenl room
60 no 72 77 74 68 60 50 78
Dog kernd
78 75 73 78 80 78 74 70 84
AfTna*m
90 t04 t0a 101 8S 73 108
72 78 84 89 86 80 7t 64S
Xrlct€n
Lfuasy
86
65
86 79 7A 72 65 57 81
i-frty
70 73 78 6s 65 61 77
lrb{tslcd sFjixr€nt roorn
60 83 6S 67 04 58 s0 4S s8
t^Jst Frtbe r6n
&7
s$
&s
34
85 84 83
g6
82 s0 78 s8
Racq.Elbd csrt o) 85
96 96
an
9t 91 90 100
Recefdr rd lobby rea
80 83 75 68 62 86
Tebcgde*rce
60
65
66
74
7Z 77 74 68 60 50 78
78 80 79 75 68 60 83
34 eAsrcrlGCFY
mors, dopending on the source or environrnent, Fsr many practical problems,
howsver, the data can be considered to be typical source levels at the given
distance and condition, or average general activity levels for interiors. The data
can be used fcr design purpose$ if proper consideration is given to especially
loud equipment or $ources which may exceed h, unusual site co*ditions, and
any other conditions that deviate from normal. For example, it is prudent to
measure transportation noise at propcsed building sites near highways, air'
pon$, etc., so design data will repre$ent existing noise sources and reflect
specific site features. Note also that many modern aircraft, trucks, and office
equipment are not as loud as examples in the table.
Note: Sources far noise level datainclude Journal of the Aroustba/ Socr'ery of ,{nerica,
Sound and Vibratian, Noise Contral Engineering Journal, and technical publications ol the
U.$. Environmental Protection Agency and National Bureau af Standards {U.S"} ,
/\.
BASIC THEffiY 35
DECIBEL SCALE$ FOR SOUND INTENSITY, FRESSURE, AND POWER
35 eAscrlGogY