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The boundary element method (BEM) is used to evaluate the acoustic scattering of a threedimensional (3D) sound source by an infinitely long rigid barrier in the vicinity of tall buildings. The barrier is assumed to be non-absorbing and the buildings are modeled as an infinite barrier. The calculations are performed in the frequency domain and time signatures are obtained by means of inverse Fourier transforms. The 3D solution is obtained by means of Fourier transform in the direction in which the geometry does not vary. This requires solving a series of 2D problems with different spatial wavenumbers, k z . The wavenumber transform in discrete form is obtained by considering an infinite number of virtual point sources equally spaced along the z axis. Complex frequencies are used to minimize the influence of these neighboring fictitious sources. Different geometric models, with barriers of varying sizes, are used. The reduction of sound pressure in the vicinity of the buildings is evaluated and the creation of shadow zones by the barriers is analyzed and compared with results provided by a simplified method. #

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The acoustic insulation provided by infinite double panel walls, when subjected to spatially sinusoidal line pressure loads, is computed analytically. The methodology used extends earlier work by the authors on the definition of the acoustic insulation conferred by a single panel wall. It does not entail any simplification other than the assumption that the panels are of infinite extent. The full interaction between the fluid (air) and the solid layers is thus taken into account and the calculation does not involve limiting the thickness of any layer, as the Kirchhoff or Mindlin theories require. The problem is first formulated in the frequency domain. Time domain solutions are then obtained by means of inverse Fourier transforms using complex frequencies.The model is first used to compute the sound reduction provided by a double homogeneous brick wall, with identical panels, when illuminated by plane sound waves. The results are then compared with those provided by the simplified method proposed by London, which was later extended by Beranek (LondonBeranek method). The limitations of the simplified London-Beranek model, namely, its applicability only to double walls with identical mass, subjected to plane waves, and its failure to account for the coincidence effect, are overcome by the method proposed.Time signatures are produced to illustrate the different sound transmission mechanisms. Several types of body and guided waves are originated, giving rise to a complex dynamic system with multiple reflections within the solid and fluid layers and the global resonance of the system. The effect of the cavity absorption is considered by attributing a complex density to the air filling the space between the two wall panels. Absorption attenuates the dips of insulation controlled by the cavity resonances. Several simulations are then performed for different combinations of wall and air layer thickness to assess the influence of this variable on the final acoustic insulation. The influence of the air cavity on sound reduction was found to be dependent on the frequency. At low frequencies a better performance was achieved for thicker air layers, while at higher frequencies a thinner air layer is preferable. The use of wall panels with different mass resulted in the wall performing better, particularly for high frequencies. 0022-460X/03/$ -see front matter r

ABSTRACT:In the present paper, a methodology is proposed for obtaining empirical equations describing the sound absorption characteristics of an absorbing material obtained from natural fibers, specifically from coconut. The method, which was previously applied to other materials, requires performing measurements of airflow resistivity and of acoustic impedance for samples of the material under study. The equations that govern the acoustic behavior of the material are then derived by means of a least-squares fit of the acoustic impedance and of the propagation constant. These results can be useful since they allow the empirically obtained analytical equations to be easily incorporated in prediction and simulation models of acoustic systems for noise control that incorporate the studied materials. RESUMEN:Un modelo para materiales absorbentes acústicos derivados de la fibra de coco. En este trabajo se describe el proceso seguido para obtener ecuaciones empíricas del comportamiento acústico de un material absorbente obtenido a partir de fibras naturales, concretamente el coco. El procedimiento, que ha sido ensayado con éxito en otros materiales, implica la realización de medidas de impedancia y resistencia al flujo de muestras del material bajo estudio. Las ecuaciones que gobiernan el comportamiento desde el punto de vista acústico del material se obtienen a partir del ajuste de ecuaciones de comportamiento de la impedancia acústica y la constante de propagación del material. Los resultados son útiles ya que, al disponer de ecuaciones analíticas obtenidas empíricamente, facilitan la incorporación de estos materiales en predicciones mediante métodos numéricos del comportamiento cuando son instalados formando parte de dispositivos para el control del ruido.