Print this page An Introduction to the Fundamentals of Acoustics
J. Paul Guyer, P.E., R.A., Fellow ASCE, Fellow AEI
Course Outline
1. INTRODUCTION
2. DECIBELS
2.1 Definition and use
2.2 Decibel addition
2.3 Decibel subtraction
2.4 Decibel averaging
3. SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL
3.1 Definition, sound pressure level
3.2 Definition, reference pressure
3.3 Abbreviations
3.4 Limitations on use of sound pressure level
4. SOUND POWER LEVEL
4.1 Definition, sound power level
4.2 Definition, reference power
4.3 Abbreviations
4.4 Limitations on sound power level data
5. SOUND INTENSITY LEVEL
5.1 Definition, sound intensity level
5.2 Definition, reference intensity
5.3 Notation
5.4 Computation of sound power level from intensity level
5.5 Determination of sound intensity
6. VIBRATION LEVELS
6.1 Definition, vibration level
6.2 Definition, reference vibration
6.3 Abbreviations
7. FREQUENCY
7.1 Frequency unit, hertz
7.2 Discrete frequencies, tonal components
7.3 Octave frequency bands
7.4 Octave band levels (1/3)
7.5 A-, B- and C-weighted sound levels
7.6 Calculation of A-weighted sound level
8. TEMPORAL VARIATIONS
9. SPEED OF SOUND AND WAVELENGTH
9.1 Temperature effect
9.2 Wavelength
10. LOUDNESS
10.1 Loundness judgments
10.2 Sons and phons
11. VIBRATION TRANSMISSIBILITY
11.1 Isolation efficiency
12. VIBRATION ISOLATION EFFECTIVENESS
12.1 Static deflection of a mounting system
12.2 Natural frequency of a mount
12.3 Application suggestions
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Learn the definition of a decibel and how it is calculated;
- Learn how to add, subtract and average decibel levels;
- Learn the definition of and how to calculate sound pressure level;
- Learn the definition of and how to calculate sound power level;
- Learn the definition of and how to calculate sound intensity level; and
- Learn the definition of A-, B- and C-weighted sound levels and how they are applied.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for engineers and architects who want an understanding of the fundamentals of acoustics, including terminology, definitions and calculation of fundamental acoustic properties.
Benefit for Attendee
This course will give engineers and others an understanding of the fundamentals of acoustics, which will in-turn allow real environmental and building design problems and issues to be address.
Course Introduction
This is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of acoustic that are applicable to all types environmental and building design issues.
About Course Author
Paul Guyer is a registered mechanical engineer, civil engineer, fire protection engineer and architect with over 35 years experience in the design of buildings and related infrastructure. For an additional 9 years he was a senior-level advisor to the California Legislature on infrastructure and capital outlay issues. He has designed and supervised the design of hundreds of construction projects requiring the preparation of detailed working drawings and specifications for federal, state and local public agencies and private companies. He is a graduate of Stanford University and has held numerous national, state and local positions with the American Society of Civil Engineers and National Society of Professional Engineers.
Course Content
The course content is contained in the following PDF file:
An Introduction to the Fundamentals of Acoustics
Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.
Course Summary
This course will give you definitions of fundamental acoustic properties. You will learn how they are calculated, utilized, and applied to a variety of noise and sound engineering situations you will encounter in your daily practice.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
