Reduction of noise resulting from the vibration of large structures (plates, beams, etc.)
by:
- ensuring that machine rotational speeds do not coincide with resonance
frequencies of the supporting structure, and if they do, changing the stiffness or mass
of the supporting structure to change its resonance frequencies (increasing stiffness
increases resonance frequencies and increasing the mass reduces resonance frequencies);
- reducing the acoustic radiation efficiency of the vibrating surface by
replacement of a solid panel or machine guard with a woven mesh or perforated
panel (see Figures 10.7a and b);
use of narrower belt drives, etc. (see Figure 10.8);
- damping a panel if it is excited mechanically (see Figure 10.9), but note that if the
panel is excited by an acoustic field, damping will have little or no effect upon its sound
radiation;
the amount of damping already characterising a structure can be approximately
determined by tapping it with a steel tool or rod. If the structure "rings" for a period
after it is struck, then the damping is low. If only a dull thud is heard, then the
damping is high. If the damping is low, then the surface may be treated either with
a single layer damping treatment or a constrained layer treatment as described
below. The noise reduction achieved is usually in the range 2 to 10 dB.