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Sound - Abatement vs. the Distance from Source

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The sound pressure from a source is reduced with distance from source.

Spherical Distance

 

Sound pressure in spherical distance from a noise source can be calculated as:

p2 = ρ c N / (4 π r2)              (1)

where

p = sound pressure (Pa, N/m2)

ρ = density of air (kg/m3)

c = speed of sound (m/s)

N = sound power (W)

π = 3.14

r = distance from source (m)

.

Half Spherical Distance

 

Sound pressure in half spherical distance from a source can be expressed as:

p2 = ρ c N / (4 π r2 / 2)

    = 2 ρ c N / (4 π r2)                (2)

A more generic expression for sound pressure in distance from source can be formulated to:

p2 =Dρ c N / (4 π r2)              (3)

where

D = directivity coefficient (1 spherical, 2 half spherical)

The directivity coefficient depends on several parameters - the position and direction of the source, the room and the surrounding area, etc.

The Sound Pressure Level - Lp- can be expressed logarithmic in decibels as:

Lp = 20 log (p / pref)

     =20 log ((Dρ c N / (4 π r2))1/2 / pref)

      = 20 log (1 / r (Dρ c N / (4 π))1/2 / pref)                 (4)

where

Lp = sound pressure level (dB)

pref = 2 10-5 - reference sound pressure (Pa)

Note! - a doubling of the distance from a sound source - will reduce the sound pressure level - Lp - with 6 decibels.

Sound Pressure Level Calculator


Example - Sound Pressure from a Wood Planer

The sound power generated from a wood planer is estimated to 0.01 W. The sound pressure in distance 10 m from the planner can be calculated as

Lp = 20 log ((Dρ c N / (4 π r2))1/2 / pref )

   = 20 log (2 (1 kg/m3) (331.2 m/s) (0.01 W) / (4 π (10 m)2))1/2 / (2 10-5 Pa))

   = 71 dB

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Related Topics

Acoustics

Room acoustics and acoustic properties. decibel A, B and C calculations. Noise Rating (NR) curves. Sound transmission through walls. Calculate sound pressure, sound intensity and sound attenuation.

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Calculate the speed of sound (the sonic velocity) in gases, fluids or solids.

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