Designed to accompany the new Open University course in Environmental Monitoring and Protection, this is one of four new titles which will equip the reader with the tools to undertake Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). Used in planning, decision-making and management, EIAs review both the theoretical principles and environmental considerations of engineering and environmental projects to help steer fundamental legislation in the right direction. This book will cover the basic principles and concepts of sound and sound propagation, covering units, criteria and indices.  It considers noise propagation and attenuation, before leading on to assessment methods for both industrial and transport noise. It includes models for predicting sound levels both indoors and outdoors, and details methods for noise control and abatement.

Discover our e-book series on Environmental Monitoring and Protection, published in partnership with The Open University!
Find out more about the series editors, the titles in the series and their focus on water, noise, air and waste, and The Open University courses in Environmental Management.
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Shahram Taherzadeh is a Lecturer in environmental engineering at The Open University, where he is a key member of the Acoustics Research Group. Shahram graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Physics from the University of Essex. He undertook research for a PhD in Acoustics, at The Open University. He is an active researcher, specialising in the modelling of outdoor sound propagation, outdoor noise mitigation methods and interaction of sound with the ground. He is author or co-author of a number of papers in scientific journals and conference proceedings. Shahram is involved in teaching noise pollution control to undergraduate and postgraduate students and Finite Element Analysis to Postgraduates. He is an examiner for UK Institute of Acoustic's Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control.

Section 1: Noise basics

1.1 Introduction

1.2 The nature of sound

1.3 Power, pressure and intensity

1.4 The decibel and weighting

1.5 Adding sound levels

1.6 Summary

Section 2: Analysing sounds

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Analysing steady sounds

2.3 Point sources and line sources

2.4 Directionality

2.5 Sound power level

2.6 Sound in rooms: reverberation and absorption

2.7 Analysing unsteady sounds

2.8 Summary

Section 3: Outdoor sound

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Geometric divergence (Adiv)

3.3 Atmospheric absorption (Aatm)

3.4 Ground absorption (Aground)

3.5 Barriers (Abar)

3.6 Other factors

3.7 Transport noise

3.8 Summary

Section 4: Noise control at source

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Choosing which source to control

4.3 Control of noise by design or choice of process

4.4 Isolating structure-borne vibration

4.5 Enclosures

4.6 Frequency dependence of noise reduction

4.7 Summary

Section 5: Control between source and receiver

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Active noise control

5.3 Indirect sound paths

5.4 Absorption and absorbing materials

5.5 Barriers

5.6 Summary

Section 6: Control at the receiver

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Sound insulation of dwellings

6.3 Ear protection

6.4 Summary

Glossary

References

Acknowledgements