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SOUND
Sound is a physical wave, or a mechanical vibration or simply a series of
pressure variations, in an elastic medium. For airborne sound, the medium is
air. For structure-borne sound the medium is concrete, steel, wood, glass and
combinations of all of these.
For architects, we simply define sound as an audible signal. This does not
mean that subsonic or supersonic signals are not sound, nor does it mean
that we are taking a stand on the existential question-of whether unheard
sound exists. It simply means that the science of architectural acoustics is
concerned with the building occupants, and sounds which he or she cannot
detect are generally nor our concern.
To further clear the air, it is always assumed that the hearer has a pair of
healthy youngears with a detection range of 20 to 20,000 Hz. With the~
givens, It is probably best toview sound as a series of pressure variations.
In air, these pressure variations take the form of periodic compressions and
rarefactions.
This is a continuous vibration that causes a series of compressions and
rarefactions to travel outward longitudinally from the source. Amplitude
information is carried by pressure that is, greater amplitude means greater
compression and greater rarefaction.
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Two single impulses of different magnitude (amplitude) are shown
travelingaway from the source. Note how amplitude information is
carried by difference in pressure.
The bell radiates a pure tone in 8&1 directions equally, that is, it creates a
pure tone in all
directions equally, and that is, it creates a circular wave front. As the bell
vibrates it sets upvibrations in the air, of the same frequency, which can best
be seen in the sectional view.
Notice that the pressure changes containing the sound information travel in
the same
direction as the wave front-longitudinally. This is unlike a radio signal for
instance in
which the wave travels longitudinally but the information, that is, the wave
height and
shape, is transverse. Sound is therefore longitudinal mechanical wave
motion.
PROPAGATION OF SOUND
Sound is a sequence of waves of pressure which propagates through
compressible media such as air or water. (Sound can propagate through
solids as well, but there are additional modes of propagation). During their
propagation, waves can be reflected, refracted, or attenuated by the medium.
The changes in pressure, density, and temperature due to the passage of the
sound wave
through air are usuallyextremely small. For examp4e, the effective sound
pressure, the
root-mean-square of the pressure variations, in the air 3 feet from a trumpet
is about 9
dynes per square centimeter. This means that the pressure fluctuations are
only about
nine millionths of the normal atmospheric pressure, which is 1. 01 x 10dynes
per
square centimeter, or 14.7 pounds per square inch (see appendix for
conversion factors
of units)
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VELOCITY OF SOUND PROPAGATION
Sound travels at different velocities depending upon the
medium. Since sound travels not onlyin air butalsothrough
parts of the structure it is of interest to know the velocities
in other media. Sound travels much faster in liquids and
solids than it does in air.
Velocity of sound is often used interchangeablywith speed
of sound, includes both speed and direction of
propagation; velocity is speed in a specified direction; that
is velocity is a vector quantity.
Low frequency sounds are characterized by long
wavelengths and high-frequency sounds by short
wavelengths. Sounds with wavelengths ranging from ½
inch to 50 feetor 1.25 em to 15.25 m can be heard by
humans.
REFERENCE
1. Building Utilities 3 Acoustics and Lighting Design System, George S.
Salvan, 1999
2. Architecture Acoustics, Christopher N. Brooks, 2003
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