| Engineering has many different branches, the branch | | | | reducing, the efficiency and practicality of the Noise |
| of engineering that deals with sound and vibration is | | | | Control is wholly reliant on this process. |
| Acoustic Engineering or (Acoustical Engineering). | | | | Once the main source of noise has been verified the |
| Acoustic Engineering is very closely related to | | | | priority will always be to reduce the noise at its source, |
| Acoustics and is the science of vibrations and sound. | | | | this is done by means of Acoustic Engineering. |
| Acoustic Engineers are concerned typically with the | | | | Noise sources that usually need reducing can be put |
| following: | | | | into two separate categories, Mechanical (Friction and |
| - How to make sounds useful. | | | | Impacts) and aerodynamic (pneumatics, fans and |
| - Using sound as an indication of some other physical | | | | combustion). The steps that are taken when an impact |
| property. | | | | is causing a noise are as follows: |
| - The reduction of unwanted sounds. | | | | - Is there a possibility that the impact causing the noise |
| Noise Control is the art of reducing unwanted sound. | | | | can be avoided? |
| Engineers in the field of Noise Control work closely | | | | - If the impact can not be avoided is it possible to |
| with engineers in most other industries to help ensure | | | | reduce the force of the impact? |
| that their processes and products are quiet. In fact | | | | - If this is not possible still or even as an extra measure |
| Acoustic Engineers (Noise Control Engineers) do a | | | | can the impact be cushioned? |
| great deal of work in most noise sensitive or noise | | | | - The final step to use can be used if the above |
| generating developments (developments involving the | | | | cannot or also as another extra measure for reduction, |
| assessment and design of Road Systems, Buildings, | | | | is it possible to prevent the vibration that is being |
| Airports and Workplaces. There are many different | | | | generated by the noise from reaching the radiating |
| documents and standards that the work must | | | | surfaces |
| conform to, they state all the levels of performance | | | | The above steps would be needed to ensure |
| that the Acoustic Engineer must achieve for each | | | | effective Noise Control from the Acoustic Engineering |
| condition. | | | | is achieved. |
| Noise Control | | | | The four basic principles to Noise Control are as |
| Noise Control is what Acoustic Engineering seeks out | | | | follows: |
| to achieve, it is an active or passive means of | | | | Sound Absorption – This will be a porous material, |
| reducing sound emissions. Noise Control is often | | | | the material will act as a noise sponge. The noise |
| incentivised by environmental considerations, personal | | | | Sponge converts sound energy into heat within the |
| comfort or sometimes for legal compliance. Some | | | | material. Fibreglass and Open-Cell Foams are common |
| degree of detective work is required to accurately | | | | sound absorbing materials. |
| diagnose the cause of the sound or noise that needs | | | | |