Computational Atmospheric Acoustics

Author: Erik M. Salomons
Publisher: Springer
Category: Wave Mechanics (vibration & Acoustics), Meteorology & Climatology, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Science, Engineering & Technology
Age Group: 15+
Book Format: Paperback

Noise from cars, trains, and aeroplanes can be heard at large distances from the source. Accurate predictions of the loudness of the noise require accurate computations of sound propagation in the atmosphere. This book describes models that can be used for these computations. The models take into account complex effects of the atmosphere and the ground surface on sound waves, including the effects of wind and temperature distributions, atmospheric turbulence, irregular terrain, and noise barriers.
The main text of the book focuses on physical effects in atmospheric acoustics. The effects are illustrated by many numerical examples. The main text requires a very limited mathematical background from the reader; detailed mathematical descriptions of the models, developed from the basic principles of acoustics, are presented in appendices. Models for moving media are compared with models that are based on the effective sound speed approach. Both two-dimensional models and three-dimensional models are presented. As meteorological effects play an important role in atmospheric acoustics, selected topics from boundary layer meteorology and the theory of turbulence are also presented.

Table Of Contents

Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Unbounded homogeneous atmosphere. 3. Homogeneous atmosphere above a ground surface. 4. Atmospheric refraction. 5. Atmospheric turbulence. 6. Irregular terrain. 7. Noise barriers. A. Basic acoustic equations for a homogeneous atmosphere. B. Free field of a point source. C. Acoustic impedance. D. Reflection of sound waves. E. Basic acoustic equations for a layered refracting atmosphere. F. Generalized Fast Field Program (FFP). G. Parabolic Equation (PE) method. H. Green's Function Parabolic Equation (GFPE) method. I. Atmospheric turbulence. J. Atmospheric turbulence in the PE method. K. Analytical model for a non-refracting turbulent atmosphere. L. Ray model including caustic diffraction fields. M. Computational methods for irregular terrain. N. Wind and temperature profiles in the atmosphere. O. Sound propagation over a screen. P. The method of stationary phase. References. List of symbols. Index.