Theoretical predictions and actual hearing threshold levels in workers exposed to ultrasonic noise of impulsive character--a pilot study.

Results of standard pure-tone audiometry (PTA) were collected from 25 workers, mainly females, aged 23-58 years, exposed for 2-13 years to ultrasonic noise emitted by ultrasonic welders. Hearing tests were completed by evaluation of exposure to ultrasonic noise. The subjects' actual audiometric hearing threshold levels (HTLs) were compared with theoretical predictions calculated according to ISO 1999:1990. In 60% of cases sound pressure levels in the 10-40 kHz 1/3-octave bands at workstands exceeded Polish exposure limits for ultrasonic noise. Our comparison of predicted and measured HTLs suggests that the ISO 1999:1990 method, intended for audible noise, might also make it possible to predict reliably permanent hearing loss (in the 2000-6000 Hz frequency range) after exposure to ultrasonic noise. No significant progress of hearing impairment (assessed using PTA) in the operators of ultrasonic welders was noted. Nevertheless, further studies on the hearing status of workers exposed to ultrasonic noise are needed.     

A global index of acoustic assessment of machines-results of experimental and simulation tests

A global index of machines was developed to assess noise emitted by machines and to predict noise levels at workstations. The global index is a function of several partial indices: sound power index, index of distance between the workstation and the machine, radiation directivity index, impulse and impact noise index and noise spectrum index. Tests were carried out to determine values of the global index for engine-generator; the inversion method for determining sound power level was used. It required modelling each tested generator with one omnidirectional substitute source. The partial indices and the global index were simulated, too. The results of the tests confirmed the correctness of the simulations.     

某大型机加车间数控机床噪声暴露特点与分析研究

为研究大型机加车间噪声现状和特点,选取某大型机加车间数控机床开展现场实测,并对噪声测量结果进行分析。结果显示:数控机床产生的噪声是非稳态噪声;数控机床产生的噪声在车间传播,声场分布不均匀;加工某转向工件频率在500～5 300 Hz,峰值频率分别为500,800,2 000,5 000 Hz;对机加数控机床操作岗位工作人员的8 h噪声暴露量进行测量,测量值为89.2 dB(A)。研究结果表明:评价大型机加车间噪声,测量重点应选在机床操作岗位和人行通道;应重点关注被测机床周围20 m内的噪声值;机加工作场所测量时间段的选择取决于作业持续时间。     

Analysis of noise pollution in an andesite quarry with the use of simulation studies and evaluation indices

This paper presents the verification of two partial indices proposed for the evaluation of continuous and impulse noise pollution in quarries. These indices, together with the sound power of machines index and the noise hazard index at the workstation, are components of the global index of assessment of noise hazard in the working environment of a quarry. This paper shows the results of acoustic tests carried out in an andesite quarry. Noise generated by machines and from performed blasting works was investigated. On the basis of acoustic measurements carried out in real conditions, the sound power levels of machines and the phenomenon of explosion were determined and, based on the results, three-dimensional models of acoustic noise propagation in the quarry were developed. To assess the degree of noise pollution in the area of the quarry, the continuous and impulse noise indices were used.     

Accuracy of assessing the level of impulse sound from distant sources.

Impulse sound events are characterised by ultra high pressures and low frequencies. Lower frequency sounds are generally less attenuated over a given distance in the atmosphere than higher frequencies. Thus, impulse sounds can be heard over greater distances and will be more affected by the environment. To calculate a long-term average immission level it is necessary to apply weighting factors like the probability of the occurrence of each weather condition during the relevant time period. This means that when measuring impulse noise at a long distance it is necessary to follow environmental parameters in many points along the way sound travels and also to have a database of sound transfer functions in the long term. The paper analyses the uncertainty of immission measurement results of impulse sound from cladding and destroying explosive materials. The influence of environmental conditions on the way sound travels is the focus of this paper.     

A study in hospital noise - a case from Taiwan.

Hospitals are places that allow patients to rest and recover, and therefore must be quiet inside and in the surrounding neighborhood. One medical center was chosen as a sample hospital. This hospital was a tertiary care center during the 2003 outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Taiwan. The measurement results show that the noise level in the wards and stations was between 50.3 and 68.1 dB which exceeded the suggested hospital ward sound level. The quietest units were the Surgical Intensive Care Unit and recovery rooms with a noise level lower than 50 dB during the night. The higher noise levels were in the hall and pharmacy which were highly populated areas. This study analyzed the causes of this excessive noise and used noise reduction methods. The paired t test was performed and the results showed improvement methods were successful. This study found the noise levels reached 98.5-107.5 dB in power generator rooms and air-conditioning facilities, and suggests employees use ear plugs.     

Location of noise sources in fluid power machines.

This paper discusses noise generation mechanisms and techniques for noise reduction in fluid power units. Major noise sources in fluid power units can be identified with a sound intensity method. It has been proved that components of power units with larger sound radiating surfaces such as an electric motor and an oil reservoir produce a major part of global noise radiation.     

过滤材料声学性能的实验研究*

为探讨纤维过滤材料的吸声效果,扩展吸声材料的选择范围,并为噪声粉尘一体化控制提供指导,通过实验分析不同等级一般通风用纤维层滤料的过滤性能和吸声性能,研究叠加方式及空腔设置等对滤料吸声性能的影响。研究结果表明:一定条件下,滤料的过滤效率越高吸声性能越好;单层滤料吸声效果较差,通过多层叠加,可显著提升吸声效果,达到吸声材料水平;不同等级滤料组合叠加,按过滤效率降序排列整体吸声性能更好。滤料作为吸声材料应用时,在其后侧设置空腔可明显增强吸声效果;兼顾过滤和降噪时,考虑粗效对中效滤料的保护作用,可在粗效加中效滤料后再附加粗效滤料,达到在不显著增加阻力的同时改善吸声性能的目标。     

城际铁路环境影响评价中道路交通噪声现状评价与预测

在统计某县公路类型、规模的基础上,选择代表性区段测试高速公路、国道、省道、县道、乡道、村道交通噪声影响状况,计算了达到不同声环境功能区的控制距离要求.研究结果表明,该县境内平均道路交通噪声水平昼间、夜间均可满足《声环境质量标准》(GB 3096-2008)中4a类声环境功能区标准要求.现状条件下若要达到1类声环境功能区...     

On Evaluation and Localization of Auditory Warning Devices for Adequate Audibility

This paper presents an analytic procedure to assist safety practitioners in evaluating the audibility of an existing auditory warning system in their workplaces. Two alarm location models are described: (a) a model with an unknown signal sound level, and (b) a model with a known signal sound level. A heuristic algorithm to determine a minimum number of alarm devices and their locations so that the warning signals can be clearly heard by workers is also proposed. The algorithm considers the ambient noise level, noise levels generated by individual machines, locations where workers are likely to be present, and noise levels at worker locations. From the numerical examples and the computation experiment, both the optimization and heuristic approaches yield solutions that satisfy the 15-dBA constraints. The heuristic approach is efficient in solving large alarm location problems due its capability to find near-optimal solutions within reasonable computation time.     

高海拔矿井风机气动噪声数值模拟及实验研究

为研究高海拔矿井风机气动噪声规律,建立小型轴流风机三维物理模型,利用CFD软件对环境气压分别为1,0.9,0.8,0.7,0.6及0.5 atm时的风机模型进行定常模拟、非定常模拟及噪声计算,并通过自主设计的压变实验装置对上述不同环境气压条件下风机转数分别为500,1 000,1 500和2 000 rpm时的风机噪声进行测试,分析风机叶片附近监测点噪声频谱曲线及压变环境风机噪声实验数据,结果表明:风机转数和环境气压是影响风机气动噪声的2个重要因素;环境气压P一定时,风机转数n越大,各频率下的风机气动噪声声压级SPL越大,且风机噪声总声压级Lp和平均声压级Lavg均随风机转数n的增大呈对数函数增加;风机转数n不变时,随着海拔高度的升高,环境气压P降低,各频段下风机气动噪声声压级SPL均将减小,且风机噪声总声压级Lp和平均声压级Lavg随环境气压值P的降低呈线性函数减小,环境气压每降低0.1 atm,二者分别降低1.47和1.29 dB。     

冷却塔的噪声特性与控制

以某小区冷却塔的噪声治理为例,通过对其噪声数据的测量,详细分析了冷却塔噪声的主要来源和特性,并从消声、吸声、隔声等方面阐述了一种实用的控制措施。结果表明,此方案不仅降噪效果明显,而且能够完全满足设备所需通风量和温度的要求,在工程实际过程中取得了良好的降噪效果。     

20种护耳器噪声防护效果的探讨

探讨了国内外２０种护耳器对石油钻井噪声的防护效果。首先在隔声室内模拟石油钻井工人接触的噪声环境，声级达１０３ｄＢ（Ａ）。采用护耳器主观测量方法对每种护耳器进行噪声防护效果测量，并筛选出噪声防护效果明显的几种护耳器。     

Comprehensive monitoring technique based on electromagnetic radiation and its applications to mine pressure

Strata pressures are common potential troubles during coal mining, serious ones can cause great catastrophe. This paper presents a new comprehensive electromagnetic radiation (EMR) monitoring technique to monitor and predict these disasters. In this paper, we studied the relationship of EMR emitted by various, uniaxially loaded, coal rock samples (coal, rock, roof-coal-floor composite) in their whole deformation and failure processes to the applied loads, and found that EMR signal is linearly related to the applied loads, while the number of EMR pulses is a third power function of the applied loads. Therefore, EMR signal is capable of reflecting the stress (load) state, deformation and fracture strength, and internal stress state of coal rock mass. Based on the above, we proposed three methods for measuring rock pressure distribution, periodic pressure, and internal stress distribution of coal rock mass on working faces, and conducted field measurements and verifications. The results showed that (i) EMR has a certain correspondence to support resistance of working faces, and can reflect more accurately the face pressure distribution; (ii) in the mining impacted area located within 100 m in the front of working face, the stress distribution has unimodal and bimodal forms; (iii) EMR signal changes periodically with periodic pressure, and can be used to qualitatively observe and evaluate periodic pressure; (iv) tested with antenna in the borehole into coal rock mass, EMR signal can effectively reflect the internal stress distribution and shifting, which was verified by using traditional drilling cuttings method. In addition, EMR can also be used to check the effect of destress blasting as one of the emergency measures. In conclusion, the results are of practical significance for using EMR to monitor rock pressure and guiding safe underground mining.     

煤矿噪声对人的注意力影响实验研究

为了研究煤矿噪声对作业人员注意力的影响,采用舒尔特方格法对20名被试者进行5 d的测试,以反应时间和错误次数为评价标准,测试了5种不同分贝煤矿噪声下的注意力水平。运用SPSS,Excel等软件对实验所得的反应时间、出错次数和超时次数进行分析。结果表明:不同噪声等级刺激对矿工的注意力水平存在差异。噪声等级在35~85 db时,注意力水平变化不显著,当噪声等级超过85 db后,对注意力水平的影响趋于显著。煤矿安全规程规定井下作业场所的噪声不应超过85 db,如果超过此临界值,噪声会对矿工的注意力产生较大的负面影响,导致不安全行为的发生;不同噪声等级分别与矿工出错次数、超时次数成正相关关系。当噪声等级在35~85 db时,随噪声刺激的增大,矿工出错次数的增长率先增大后减小,而超时次数的增长率刚好相反。噪声等级超过85 db后,矿工出错次数、超时次数的增长率一致。     

Evaluation of the power of the distributed blast type explosive

Many works have been done on power evaluation of explosives and some evaluation methods presented. However, because of the differences of the explosion characteristics between distributed blast and common condensed explosive, a more reasonable way for evaluating the power of distributed blast is needed. In the paper, for a given range in space, a TNT equivalency method is proposed. Both the physical and mathematical meaning of power are considered in the method. Instead of giving equivalency of some individual points, TNT equivalent value for a certain space range can be obtained based on the method.     

The modal low frequency noise of an elastically supported circular plate.

The modal low frequency noise generated by a vibrating elastically supported circular plate embedded into a flat infinite baffle has been examined. The main aim of this study is the analysis of the radiation efficiency. Low frequency approximated formulas have been presented. They are valid for all the limiting boundary conditions of the plate with its edge clamped, guided, simply supported or free as well as for all the intermediate axisymmetric boundary configurations. The formulas are expressed in the elementary form, useful for numerical computations. They are a generalization of some earlier published results. First, they are valid for axisymmetric and asymmetric modes since both kinds of modes play an important role in the low frequency range. Second, a single formula for the radiation efficiency, valid for all the axisymmetric boundary configurations, has been proposed. A numerical example for the sound power radiation has been given for some hatchway covers mounted on a ship deck.     

The effects of persistent audible seat belt reminders and a speed-limiting interlock on the seat belt use of drivers who do not always use a seat belt

Introduction: Vehicle technologies that increase seat belt use can save thousands of lives each year. Kidd, Singer, Huey, and Kerfoot (2018) found that a gearshift interlock was more effective for increasing seat belt use than an intermittent audible reminder, but interlocks may not be more effective than persistent audible reminders lasting at least 90 seconds. Method: Forty-nine part-time belt users with a recent seat belt citation who self-reported not always using a seat belt drove two vehicles for 1 week each. Thirty-three drove a Chevrolet with an intermittent audible reminder followed by either a BMW with a persistent 90-second audible reminder (n = 17) or a Subaru with an incessant audible reminder (n = 16). The other 16 participants experienced the BMW persistent reminder followed by an interlock that limited speed to 15 mph during unbelted driving. These data were combined with data from 32 part-time belt users in Kidd et al. (2018) who experienced the intermittent reminder for 2 weeks or the intermittent reminder for 1 week and a gearshift interlock the next. Results: Relative to the intermittent reminder, seat belt use was significantly increased an estimated 30% by the BMW persistent reminder, 34% by the Subaru incessant reminder, and 33% by the speed-limiting interlock. Belt use was increased an estimated 16% by the gearshift interlock, but this change was not significant. More participants circumvented the speed-limiting interlock to drive unbelted than the audible reminders. Responses to a poststudy survey indicated that interlocks were less acceptable than reminders. Conclusions: Audible reminders lasting at least 90 seconds and a speed-limiting interlock were more effective for increasing seat belt use than an intermittent audible reminder, but reminders were found more acceptable. Practical applications: Strengthening existing U.S. safety standards to require audible reminders lasting at least 90 seconds for front-row occupants could save up to 1,489 lives annually.