Acoustics and Noise Control - MEE

T - Theoretical; TP - Theory and practice; PL - Laboratory; S - Seminar; OT - Tutorial.

• Learning outcomes of the curricular unit:

  Provide theoretical and practical knowledge for the proper understanding of sound waves generation and propagation phenomena, as well as for the acoustic assessment methodologies definition which, in accordance with the applicable legislation and standardization, may adequately establish the mitigation and the monitoring measures to be implement in the related follow-up and noise control projects. 

• Syllabus:

  1 – Fundamentals of acoustics
  1.1 – Sound waves generation and propagation
  1.1.1 – Propagation equation
  1.1.2 – Plane, cylindrical and spherical waves
  1.2 – Sound levels and logarithmic arithmetic
  1.2.1 – Sound power, sound intensity and sound pressure
  1.2.2 – Decibel
  1.3 – Frequency analysis
  1.3.1 – Frequency domain evaluation
  1.3.2 – Human hearing sensitivity
  1.4 – Time analysis
  1.4.1 – Time domain evaluation
  1.4.2 – Equivalent continuous sound level
  1.5 – Human noise effects
  1.5.1 – Auditory and non-auditory effects
  1.5.2 – Hearing protection
  1.6 – Electroacoustics
  1.6.1 – Electroacoustic transduction
  1.6.2 – Electroacoustic enhancement
  1.7 – Vibrating systems
  1.7.1 – Free and forced vibrations
  1.7.2 – Transmissibility and resonance
  2 – Applied acoustics
  2.1 – Regulation
  2.1.1 – National and international standardization
  2.1.2 – National and international legislation
  2.2 – Instrumentation
  2.2.1 – Sound level meters and spectrum analysers
  2.2.2 – Post-processing and modulating software
  2.3 – Acoustic measurements and evaluation
  2.3.1 – Experimental procedures
  2.3.2 – Accreditation requirements
  2.4 – Occupational acoustics
  2.4.1 – Risk assessment
  2.4.2 – Hearing protection program project
  2.5 – Environmental acoustics
  2.5.1 – Annoyance and maximum exposure
  2.5.2 – Noise mitigation measures project
  2.6 – Building acoustics
  2.6.1 – Construction supervision
  2.6.2 – Acoustic conditioning project
  2.7 – Underwater acoustics
  2.7.1 – Sound propagation
  2.7.2 – Detection and tracking systems

• Teaching methodologies (including evaluation):

  2 Tests; 8 values minimum grade; equal or greater than 10 values average grade for approval, or

  2 Work Reports; 10 values minimum grade; equal or greater than 10 values average grade for approval, or

  Final Exam; equal or greater than 10 values for approval

• Main Bibliography
  • A. P. French, “Vibrations and Waves”, M.I.T. Introductory Physics Series, W. W. Norton and Company, 1971
  • A. D. Pierce, “Acoustics. An Introduction to its Physical Principles and Applications”, McGraw-Hill, 1981
  • B. J. Smith, R. J. Peters, S. Owen, “Acoustics and Noise Control”, Longman, 1982
  • H. J. Pain, “The Physics of Vibrations and Waves”, John Wiley and Sons, 1998
  • L. E. Kinsler, A. R. Frey, A. B. Coppens, J. V. Sanders, “Fundamentals of Acoustics”, John Wiley and Sons, 1999
  • F. A. Everest, “The Master Handbook of Acoustics”, TAB Books, 2000
  • M. J. Crocker, “Handbook of Noise and Vibration Control”, John Wiley and Sons, 2007
  • S. S. Rao, “Mechanical Vibrations”, Addison-Wesley, 2011
  • J. P. Silva, “Vibrações e Ondas”, IST Press, 2012
  • National and international regulation