Thesis (D.Tech.: Electronic Engineering)-Dept. of Electronic Engineering, Durban University of Technology, 2007 vii, 150 leaves / Detecting and minimising distortion in audio signals is an important aspect of sound engineering. Distortion of a signal passing through an audio system may be caused by a number of factors and it is necessary to detect these effects for optimal sound. The problem is of interest to users and operators of high quality audio equipment and transmission facilities. The objective of this thesis was the development of techniques for the blind identification of distortion in a high quality audio signal using digital signal processing techniques. The techniques developed are based on digital signal processing techniques and statistical analysis of a recorded audio signal, which is treated as a random, non-stationary signal.

The sound insulation demands for dwellings and public building has increased over the years as the number of sound sources has grown. From the outside our homes are exposed to noise from cars, trains, airplanes, etc. Noise intrudes from our neighbours and their television and stereo equipments. Also noise from spaces for mechanical services systems tends to become more important due to increasing energy saving demands. This thesis presents new analytical models for predicting the sound reduction index of single or double plate systems. In the single plate case, a theoretical and experimental analysis of the air-borne sound transmission through a single plate is presented. The plate is assumed to be excited by a diffuse sound field and the velocity distribution of the plate is derived from the Kirchoff plate equation in the frequency domain. The resulting Fourier transform is evaluated using residue calculus and the solution is verified numerically. The analytical model is valid for a wide frequency range, both below, above and at the critical frequency. Special interest is paid to the area dependency of the sound reduction index. This technique is further expanded for the double plate case by adding another plate and an intermediate layer which is modelled as a locally reacting spring. The model is valid and continuous through both the mass-spring-mass resonance and the coincidence region. The results from the analytical models show good agreement with measured results in both the single and double plate case. A simplified model is also presented for the sound reduction index of finite size floating floors. The model is valid for two elastic plates with a resilient layer in between where the bottom plate, the load-bearing slab, is assumed to be excited with a diffuse airborne sound field. The top plate and the resilient layer compose the floating floor. The problem is solved for frequencies below, between and above the critical frequencies of the plates. Above the critical frequency of the load-bearing plate, but below that of the floating slab, the main coupling between the plates will occur at the coincidence angle of the load-bearing plate. Above the critical frequency of both plates, the main transmission will occur at the angle of coincidence of each plate. As the plates will interact, the sound insulation improvement will to some extent depend on the properties of the load-bearing slab. It is shown how the sound reduction index depends on the physical parameters and the geometry of the plates. / QC 20101101

La mise en oeuvre de matériaux acoustiques est une méthode efficace et très utilisée pour réduire le bruit le long de sa propagation. Les propriétés acoustiques de nouvelles structures sandwich multifonctionnelles et de matériaux absorbants poreux sont étudiées dans la thèse. Les principales contributions de la thèse sont les suivantes: Les panneaux sandwich ont généralement d'excellentes propriétés mécaniques et un bon indice de perte en transmission sonore (STL), mais aucune capacité d'absorption acoustique. De nouvelles structures sandwich multifonctionnelles sont développées en intégrant des microperforations et des matériaux absorbants poreux aux panneaux sandwich ondulés et en nid d’abeilles conventionnels, structurellement efficaces pour obtenir de bons STL et de bonnes absorptions en basses fréquences. Le coefficient d'absorption acoustique (SAC) et la perte en transmission (STL) des panneaux sandwich ondulés sont évalués numériquement et expérimentalement en basse fréquence pour différentes configurations de perforations. Les modèles éléments finis (EF) sont construits en tenant compte des interactions vibro-acoustiques sur les structures et des dissipations d'énergie, visqueuse et thermique, à l'intérieur des perforations. La validité des calculs FE est vérifiée par des mesures expérimentales avec les échantillons testés obtenus par fabrication additive. Par rapport aux panneaux sandwich ondulés classiques sans perforation, les panneaux sandwich perforés (PCSPs) avec des perforations dans leur plaque avant présentent non seulement un SAC plus élevé aux basses fréquences, mais aussi un meilleur STL, qui en est la conséquence directe. L'élargissement des courbes des indices d’absorption et de transmission doit être attribué à la résonance acoustique induite par les micro-perforations. Il est également constaté que les PCSPs avec des perforations dans les plaques avant et les parois internes onduleés ont les fréquences de résonance les plus basses de tous les PCSPs. En outre, les performances acoustiques des panneaux sandwich en nid d'abeilles avec une plaque avant microperforée sont également examinées. Un modèle analytique est présenté avec l'hypothèse que les déplacements des deux plaques sont identiques aux fréquences inférieures à la fréquence de résonance des plaques. Le modèle analytique est ensuite validé par des modèles d'éléments finis et des résultats expérimentaux existants. Contrairement aux panneaux sandwich en nid d'abeilles classiques qui sont de piètres absorbeurs de bruit, les sandwichs en nid d'abeilles perforés (PHSPs) conduisent à un SAC élevé aux basses fréquences, ce qui entraîne en conséquence un incrément dans le STL basse fréquence. Les influences de la configuration du noyau sont étudiées en comparant les PHSPs avec différentes configurations de noyaux en nids d'abeilles. […] / Implementation of acoustic materials is an effective and popular noise reduction method during propagation. Acoustic properties of novel multifunctional sandwich structures and porous absorbing materials are studied in the dissertation. The main contributions of the dissertation are given as, Sandwich panels generally have excellent mechanical properties and good sound transmission loss (STL), but no sound absorption ability. Novel multifunctional sandwich structures are developed by integrating micro perforations and porous absorbing materials to the conventional structurally-efficient corrugated and honeycomb sandwich panels to achieve good SAC and STL at low frequencies. Low frequency sound absorption and sound transmission loss (STL) of corrugated sandwich panels with different perforation configurations are evaluated both numerically and experimentally. Finite element (FE) models are constructed with considerations of acousticstructure interactions and viscous and thermal energy dissipations inside the perforations. The validity of FE calculations is checked against experimental measurements with the tested samples provided by additive manufacturing. Compared with the classical corrugated sandwich panels without perforation, the perforated corrugated sandwich panels (PCSPs) with perforations in its face plate not only exhibits a higher SAC at low frequencies but also a better STL as a consequence of the enlarged SAC. The enlargement of SAC and STL should be attributed to the acoustical resonance induced by the micro perforations. It is also found that the PCSPs with perforations in both the face plates and corrugated cores have the lowest resonance frequencies of all the PCSPs. Besides, the acoustic properties of honeycomb sandwich panels with microperforated faceplate are also explored. An analytical model is presented with the assumption that displacements of the two faceplates are identical at frequencies below the faceplate resonance frequency. The analytical model is subsequently verified by finite element models and existing experimental results. Unlike classical honeycomb sandwich panels which are poor sound absorbers, perforated honeycomb sandwiches (PHSPs) lead to high SAC at low frequencies, which in turn brings about increment in the low frequency STL. Influences of core configuration are investigated by comparing PHSPs with different honeycomb core configurations. In order to enlarge the SAC bandwidth of perforated sandwich panels, porous absorbing materials are added to the cores of novel perforated sandwich panels. FE models are set up to estimate the SAC and STL of perforated sandwich panels with porous materials. Results show that perforated sandwich panels with porous material can provide SAC with broader bandwidth and lower resonance frequency than that without porous materials. Whereas the peak values in the SAC and STL curves are reduced due to the weakened acoustical resonance by the porous materials. […]

Windows are a weakness in building facade sound transmission loss (STL). This coupled with the detrimental effects of excessive noise exposure on human health including: annoyance, sleep deprivation, hearing impairment and heart disease, is the motivation for this investigation of the STL improvements active noise control (ANC) of windows can provide. Window speaker development, ANC window experiments and analytical modelling of ANC windows were investigated. Five different window speaker constructions were characterised then compared with a previously developed window speaker. ANC window testing used three different ANC configurations and was performed in two different environments, one with a reverberant receiving room, and the other with an anechoic receiving room. Optimisation of ANC systems with particular control source locations was the aim of the modelling. This enabled comparison with the ANC window tests and would aid in further development of ANC windows. Window speaker constructions were characterised by sound pressure level (SPL) measurements performed in an anechoic room. These measurements were made in a way that enabled comparison with the previously developed window speaker. Total sound energy reduction calculations were used to determine the relative performance of the tested ANC windows. An STL model, based on a modal panel vibration model, was initially created and verified against published STL data before it was expanded to include ANC control sources. The model was used to simulate the performed anechoic environment tests and an ideal ANC case.

No description available.

Les structures à double paroi sont largement utilisées dans la lutte contre les nuisances sonores et vibratoires en raison de leur supériorité en terme d'isolation acoustique sur les parois simples. Parmi les exemples typiques on peut citer les doubles vitrages, le fuselage des avions, les véhicules, etc. Dans ce contexte, nous nous sommes intéressés à l'étude expérimentale et numérique du comportement vibroacoustique des doubles parois feuilletées. Le système étudié est composé de deux plaques sandwichs à cœur viscoélastique séparées par une cavité remplie d'air. Nous avons développé un modèle éléments finis basé sur une formulation variationnelle impliquant le déplacement en tout point de la structure et la pression acoustique dans la cavité d'air. Due aux propriétés mécaniques complexes du matériau viscoélastique utilisé dans le cœur des panneaux, cette formulation est complexe et dépend de la fréquence. La résolution de ce modèle par les méthodes directes a un coût numérique exorbitant. Nous avons réussi à développer un modèle d'ordre réduit à faible coût numérique capable de prédire la transmission sonore quelque soit le domaine fréquentiel d'étude. Ce modèle, basé sur la méthode de superposition modale, nécessite le calcul des modes découplés solide et acoustique du système. Les modes solides sont les modes réels et non amortis des panneaux sandwich sans charge de pression acoustique à l'interface fluide-structure, tandis que les modes acoustiques sont les modes de la cavité acoustique avec des conditions aux limites de parois rigides à l'interface fluide-structure. Pour valider notre modèle numérique, nous avons réalisé des mesures expérimentales de vitrages simples, feuilletés et doubles selon la norme ISO 140. Cette norme concerne la mesure de l'isolement acoustique des immeubles et des éléments de construction. Les comparaisons entre les résultats numériques et expérimentaux montrent une assez bonne corrélation entre les deux approches. / Double-wall structures are widely used in noise control due to their superiority over single-leaf structures in providing better acoustic insulation. Typical examples include double glazed windows, fuselage of airplanes, vehicles, etc. In this context, we are interested in experimental and numerical study of the vibro-acoustic behavior of double-wall sandwich panels with viscoelastic core coupled to an acoustic enclosure. A finite element formulation is derived from a variational principle involving structural displacement and acoustic pressure in the fluid cavity. Since the elasticity modulus of the viscoelastic core is complex and frequency dependent, this formulation is complex and nonlinear. Therefore, the direct solution of this problem can be considered only for small model sizes. We successfully developed a reduced order-model to predict the sound transmission in any frequency range at a lower numerical cost. This model, based on a normal mode expansion, requires the computation of the uncoupled structural and acoustic modes. The uncoupled structural modes are the real and undamped modes of the sandwich panels without fluid pressure loading at fluid-structure interface, whereas the uncoupled acoustic modes are the cavity modes with rigid wall boundary conditions at the fluid-structure interface. Our numerical model is validated by means of experiments realized on simple, double and laminated glazing according to ISO 140 standards. This standard concerns the measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements. The numerical predictions agree reasonably well with experiments.

La modélisation du comportement vibroacoustique en flexion des structures sandwich est devenue aujourd’hui de plus en plus d’un grand intérêt dans les différents secteurs industriels. Cette tendance est principalement due aux propriétés mécaniques avantageuses des structures sandwich. L’un des principaux avantages de ce type de structures réside principalement dans le rapport rigidité-poids élevé. En revanche, acoustiquement la diminution de la masse du panneau avec une rigidité élevée conduit à un confort acoustique insatisfait. Pour cette raison, il y a une demande croissante pour des approches de modélisation du comportement vibroacoustique des structures sandwich avec une précision maximale. La présente thèse propose une approche méso-macro basée sur une méthode numérique pour la prédiction des caractéristiques dynamiques des structures sandwich. La méthode est principalement utilisée pour résoudre le problème de transparence acoustique considéré dans ce projet de thèse. Le travail présenté porte principalement sur la topologie du coeur du sandwich pour traiter le problème abordé. Le principal avantage du modèle proposé réside dans les effets du cœur prises en compte telle que l’effet du cisaillement et celle de l’orthotropie du panneau sandwich. L’approche de modélisation proposée est basée sur la méthode des éléments finis ondulatoire, qui combine la méthode des éléments finis classique et la théorie des structures périodiques. La structure sandwich a été modélisée comme un guide des ondes tridimensionnelles qui garde absolument les informations à l’échelle mésoscopique du panneau modélisé. La fréquence de transition définie la fréquence à laquelle le cisaillement du coeur devient important. Cette fréquence spéciale a été identifié via deux méthodes numériques. Une expression de transmission acoustique à travers un panneau sandwich a également été dérivée. Ensuite, une étude paramétrique a été menée dans le but de révéler l’effet des différents paramètres géométriques sur les indicateurs vibroacoustiques. / Prediction of the flexural vibroacoustic behavior of honeycomb sandwich structures in the low-mid frequency is nowadays becoming of high interest in different industrial sectors. This trend is mainly owing to the advantageous mechanical properties of the sandwich structures. One of the main advantages of this kind of structures lies principally in the high stiffness-to-weight ratio. Even though, acoustically the decrease of the panel mass with a high stiffness leads to an unsuitable acoustic comfort. For this reason, there is an increasing demand for approaches modeling the vibroacoustic behavior of the sandwich structures with a maximum accuracy. The present thesis deals with a meso-macro approach based on a numerical method for modeling the vibroacoustic behavior of sandwich structures. The modeling description is mainly used to address the acoustic insulation problem considered in the thesis. The presented work focuses on the topology of the sandwich core to treat the addressed problem. The main advantage of the proposed model is that it takes into account the core shear and panel orthotropic effects. The modeling approach suggested here is based on the wave finite element method (WFE method), which combines the standard finite element method and the periodic structure theory. The sandwich structure has been modeled as a tridimensional waveguide which holds absolutely the meso-scale information of the modeled panel. The transition frequency, which indicates the frequency at which the core shear becomes important, was identified via two different numerical methods. An expression of the acoustic transmission for an equivalent isotropic sandwich panel was also derived. A parametric study was then conducted with a goal of revealing the effect of the geometric parameters of the sandwich core on the vibroacoustic indicators.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / In urban areas, where noise is significant, the facades and roofs must submit a performance capable of ensuring insulation required for the acoustic comfort of the users. The roof, although important elements of the envelope of buildings, has been little studied in Acoustics. The validity of ISO 15575 Residential Buildings - Performance impacted mainly the construction industry suppliers, who needed to characterize their products and systems. Also in 2015 came the NBR 16373 - tiles and thermoacoustic panels - Performance requirements. This Thesis aimed to establish a methodology to analyse the acoustic performance for sandwich tiles considering regulatory standards and experimental trials. It started from the requirements of ISO 16373 for performing absorption tests and sound transmission loss of sandwich type of shingle tiles + EPS. The experimental procedure used to determine the sound absorption coefficient (α) was the method of the reverberation chamber in a diffuse field standardized by ASTM C423. The results showed behaviour with greater absorption (0.29) in a narrow band around 250 Hz and stabilized above 1600 Hz, with values similar to 0.06. These factors mean rank 1 according to the NBR 16373, in other words, the worst performance scale. Regarding the sound insulation test, performed according to ISO 10140 in reverberation room, it was quantified the Weighted Sound Reduction Index, Rw = 20 dB, above the expected performance because resulted close to the performance of other more valued tile commercially. The information given on NBR 16373: 2015 for the experimental analysis of sandwich tile are very incomplete, so difficult the tests. To facilitate implementation, minimizing errors due to erroneous interpretations of the techniques involved standards, we established a specific analysis methodology for trials in shingles or tiles. Therefore, it is proposed that the adequacy of samples of the tests, the individual analysis of each material that compose the shingle and evaluation of the two faces of the composite tiles, in order that they may have different types of finish (liner, liner-film, perforated panel, among others) and therefore the analysis of the lower tile becomes effective in assisting in the determination of the acoustic conditioning of the interior environments. Another suggestion is the evaluation of the rain impact noise on tiles. Finally, we reiterate the importance of the technical product information are clear and complete, allowing consumers to obtain adequate acoustic performance in their buildings. / Em áreas urbanas, onde o ruído é significativo, as fachadas e coberturas devem apresentar um desempenho capaz de garantir a isolação necessária para o conforto acústico dos usuários. As coberturas, embora sejam elementos importantes da envoltória das edificações, tem sido pouco estudadas na área de Acústica. A vigência da NBR 15575 Edificações habitacionais Desempenho impactou, principalmente, o setor de fornecedores da construção civil, que necessitaram caracterizar seus produtos e sistemas. Além disso, em 2015, surgiu a NBR 16373 Telhas e painéis termoacústico Requisitos de desempenho. A presente Dissertação teve como objetivo principal estabelecer uma metodologia de análise da performance acústica para telhas sanduíche, considerando padrões normativos e ensaios experimentais. Partiu-se das exigências da NBR 16373 para a execução dos ensaios de absorção e perda de transmissão sonora das telhas sanduíche do tipo telha + EPS. O procedimento experimental utilizado para a determinação do Coeficiente de Absorção Sonora (α) foi o método da câmara reverberante em campo difuso, normatizado pela ASTM C423. Os resultados mostraram um comportamento com maior absorção (0,29) numa faixa estreita em torno de 250 Hz e uma estabilização acima de 1600 Hz, com valores similares a 0,06. Tais coeficientes significam classificação 1, de acordo com a NBR 16373, ou seja, o pior desempenho da escala. No que tange ao ensaio de isolamento sonoro, executado de acordo com a ISO 10140, em câmara reverberante, foi quantificado o Índice de Redução Sonora Ponderado, Rw= 20 dB, desempenho acima do esperado, pois resultou próximo ao desempenho de outra telha mais valorizada comercialmente. As informações constantes na NBR 16373:2015 para a análise experimental da telha sanduíche são muito incompletas, por isso dificultam a realização dos ensaios. Para facilitar a execução, minimizando os erros decorrentes de interpretações equivocadas das normas técnicas envolvidas, estabeleceu-se uma metodologia de análise específica para ensaios realizados em telhas ou coberturas. Assim, propõe-se a adequação das amostras dos ensaios, a análise individual de cada material que compõe a telha e a avaliação das duas faces das telhas compostas, tendo em vista que elas podem possuir diferentes tipos de acabamento (forro, forro-filme, painel perfurado, entre outros) e, por isso, a análise da parte inferior da telha torna-se eficaz no auxílio da determinação do condicionamento acústico no interior de ambientes. Outra sugestão é a avaliação do ruído de impacto da chuva em telhas. Por fim, reitera-se a importância de que as informações técnicas sobre os produtos sejam claras e completas, permitindo que os consumidores finais possam obter um adequado desempenho acústico em suas edificações.

The effects of vortices on the propagation of acoustic waves are numerous, from simple convection effects to instabilities in the acoustic phenomena, including absorption,<p>reflection and refraction effects. This work focusses on the effects of mean flow<p>vorticity on the acoustic propagation. First, a theoretical background is presented<p>in chapters 2-5. This part contains: (i) the fluid dynamics and thermodynamics<p>relations; (ii) theories of sound generation by turbulent flows; and (iii) operators taken<p>from scientific literature to take into account the vorticity effects on acoustics. Later,<p>a family of scalar operators based on total enthalpy terms are derived to handle mean<p>vorticity effects of arbitrary flows in acoustics (chapter 6). Furthermore, analytical<p>solutions of Pridmore-Brown’s equation are featured considering exponential boundary<p>layers whose profile depend on the acoustic parameters of the problem (chapter 7).<p>Finally, an extension of Pridmore-Brown’s equation is formulated for predicting the<p>acoustic propagation over a locally-reacting liner in presence of a boundary layer of<p>linear velocity profile superimposed to a constant cross flow (chapter 8).<p> / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

This thesis provides analytical and experimental proof-of-concept for a new feedback-controlled sound transmission control module for use in an active segmented partition (ASP) array. The objective of such a module is to provide high transmission loss down to low audible frequencies while minimizing the overall mass of the module. This objective is accomplished in the new module by using actively controlled panels in conjunction with analog feedback controllers. The new module also overcomes two limitations that exist in current ASP modules: the inability to control broadband random-noise and the lack of bidirectional control through the module. Overcoming these limitations represents an important advancement in the research area of actively controlled partitions and broadens the number of potential applications for ASP arrays. Analogous circuit models were developed and used to predict the performance of the new ASP module under feedback control. The preliminary design consists of two loudspeaker drivers mounted back-to-back in a duct, with two decoupled analog feedback controllers connected to reduce the vibration of the loudspeaker cones. It was found that the classical analogous circuit model of a loudspeaker proved inadequate for modeling the low- and mid-frequency transmission loss due to resonance effects of the loudspeaker surround. An enhanced model of a loudspeaker was then used to account for this phenomenon and more accurately predict the transmission loss behavior. An experimental proof-of-concept module was constructed using two 10 cm diameter loudspeaker drivers, two accelerometers, and other off-the-shelf materials. The two analog feedback controllers used in the module were designed and built using measured frequency response function techniques. The passive and active transmission loss of the module was measured using a plane-wave tube. Transmission loss of broadband random-noise in excess of 50 dB was achieved between 100 Hz and 2 kHz. The experimental transmission loss results validated the numerical model and showcased the transmission loss performance of the new module design.