48
Environmental Technical Physics
REGGIO DI CALABRIA
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The course aims to provide the necessary knowledge for the analysis, measurement, and evaluation of parameters and processes related to the propagation of sound waves and their effects on humans and the environment.
The program is structured to impart comprehensive expertise in the field and includes the fundamentals of physical acoustics, psychoacoustics, mechanisms of sound propagation, simulation techniques, measurement tools and techniques, and practical laboratory exercises.
The objective is to train technicians who possess the fundamental theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject, capable of understanding and analysing phenomena and effects associated with sound propagation and the variation of its characteristics. These technicians should be able to use suitable design and measurement techniques aimed at the reduction and control of noise, even in industrial and tertiary settings.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of mechanical wave physics
Teaching Methods
The course consists of both a set of lessons on theoretical issues and a series of seminars during which specific problems and exercises will be treated and solved.
Attendance at lessons is not compulsory but highly recommended.
Assessment Methods
The examination consists of an oral test on topics related to the course content, during which a project developed throughout the course will also be discussed.
The assessment aims to evaluate whether the student has acquired knowledge and understanding of the topics covered, as well as interpretative skills and independent judgment in practical cases. The student must also demonstrate communication and argumentation skills sufficient to convey their knowledge effectively to the examiner.
A passing grade will be awarded when the student demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the main topics, at least in general terms, and shows adequate skills useful for analysis of practical cases.
The final grade will be assigned according to the following evaluation criteria:
30 - 30 cum laude: complete, in-depth, and critical knowledge of the topics; full proficiency of technical language; comprehensive and original interpretative ability; full capacity to independently apply knowledge to solve the proposed problems.
26-29: complete knowledge of the topics; excellent proficiency of technical language; comprehensive and effective interpretative ability; good capavity to independently apply knowledge to solve the proposed problems
24-25: good knowledge of the topics; good proficiency of technical language; correct and confident interpretative ability; able to correctly apply most of the knowledge to solve the proposed problems
21-23: adequate knowledge of the topics but lacking full mastery; satisfactory command of technical language; correct interpretative ability; limited capacity to independently apply knowledge to solve the proposed problems
18-20: basic knowledge of the main topics; basic knowledge of technical language; sufficient interpretative ability; ability to apply only the most essential acquired knowledge to solve the proposed problems
Not-sufficient/fail: the student does not possess an acceptable level of knowledge of the topics covered during the course.
Texts
Course materials and handouts.
‐ Ettore Cirillo ‐ Acustica applicata ‐ Mc Graw Hill.
‐ Italo Barducci ‐ Acustica applicata – ESA.
‐ Renato Spagnolo (a cura di) – Acustica (Fondamenti e applicazioni) – UTET-
‐ Renato Spagnolo (a cura di) - Manuale di acustica applicata– CittaStudi Ed..
- F. Alton Everest - Manuale di acustica – Concetti fondamentali – Acustica degli interni- HOEPLI
Contents
Elements of Physical Acoustics
General Equation of Sound Waves. Propagation of Plane Waves and Spherical Waves. Specific Acoustic Impedance for Plane and Spherical Waves. Pure Tones and Complex Sounds. Representation of Sound in the Time Domain and Frequency Domain. Acoustic Parameters. Sound Levels. Frequency Bands. Constant Bandwidth and Percentage Bandwidth. Octave and Third-Octave Bands. White Noise and Pink Noise.
Measurement of Sounds and Noises
Human Ear. Normal Audiogram. Weighting. A-Weighting Scale. Noises. Specific Effects of Noise: Masking, Auditory Fatigue, Occupational Deafness. Nonspecific Effects of Noise. Measurement Instruments. Sound Level Meters. Microphone Characteristics: Sensitivity, Frequency Response, Amplitude Response, Directivity. Acoustic Parameters: Effective Sound Pressure Level, Equivalent Level. Single Event Level (SEL). Statistical Levels. Sonograms.
Outdoor Acoustics
Sound Propagation in Free Field. Plane, Spherical, Cylindrical Propagation. Spherical and Semicircular Propagation. Acoustic Level Produced by Fixed Point Sources. Acoustic Level Produced by a Moving Point Source and by Fixed and Moving Linear Sources. Acoustic Attenuation: Acoustic Impedance and Air Absorption, Ground Effect, Vegetation and Weather Conditions. Acoustic Barriers. Characteristics of Road Noise. Simple Empirical Models. Predictive Models for Road Traffic Noise. Characteristics of Railway Noise. Predictive Models for Railway Noise.
Acoustics of Confined Spaces
Acoustics of Confined Spaces. Sound Propagation in Large Spaces. Normal Modes of Vibration. Acoustic Absorption. Sound Field in Stationary Conditions. Sound Field in Transient Conditions. Reverberation Time. Sabine's Theory and Eyring's Theory. Impulse Response. Subjective Impressions within an Environment. Objective Parameters for Evaluating Room Acoustics. Sound-Absorbing Materials: Porous Absorbers, Vibrating Panels, Resonant Absorbing Perforated Panels. Sound Isolation. Sound Insulation Power. Mass Law. Coincidence Effect. Sound Insulation Power of Composite Walls and Double Walls. Sound Insulation Power Assessment Index. Techniques for Improving the Acoustic Performance of Structural Elements. Noise in the Workplace.
Legislation
Law of October 26, 1995, No. 447: Framework Law on Noise Pollution. DPCM November 14, 1997: Determination of Limit Values for Sound Sources. DM March 16, 1998: Techniques for Detection and Measurement of Noise Pollution. DPR November 18, 1998, No. 459: Regulation Implementing Article 11 of Law No. 447 of October 26, 1995, on Noise Pollution from Railway Traffic. DPR March 30, 2004, No. 142: Provisions for the Containment and Prevention of Noise Pollution from Traffic; Legislative Decree August 19, 2005, No. 194. DPCM December 5, 1997: Determination of Passive Acoustic Requirements for Buildings.
Noise in the Workplace: Risk Descriptors from Noise Exposure Defined by Legislative Decree 81/08.