So since I've last blogged, I have downloaded a fairly reputable app on my phone for measuring sound, it has been extremely accurate to all of the decibel charts, and the different things I have read on the measure of sound, and has been used by many people who have recording studios and such. I have been testing it on many things around my house for the past couple weeks in order to learn more about sound and how it really works.
Since my project is on sound control, I figure it's only natural to understand something before you try to control it. I mean, we all know what sound is, but do we really understand it? For the most part its just a subconscious. When we actually start to think about it, we can all relate when it comes to a comparison on sounds, ie: a dog barking, cars driving by. We all know when something is too loud that it hurts your ears and that ringing hangs around for hours/days after, or when something is so quiet that your mind almost starts to create sound from nothing.
I have attatched a chart (courtesy of Nav Canada - Civil Air Navigation services provider,) that puts things in perspective when measuring sound.
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*photo courtesy of Nav Canada Can also be found on: http://www.navcanada.ca/ContentDefinitionFiles/Airspace/Images/FAQ/Noise_HR_EN.jpg |
Hi Kristen, I am wondering what app you are using to measure the sound? It sounds like this app is going to be very useful for your research. How will you display your research when you are finished monitoring the sound in your home? A chart or graph that may depict the decibels maybe? Look forward to hearing more!
ReplyDeleteHey Teralynn, I am using a Smart Tools Co. app called Sound Meter. I have found it very interesting putting numbers to measure something we have subconsciously measured our entire lives. I definitely plan to use graphs, etc. to display my research on the decibels read vs. the different materials used. I want to be able to record each method/material that I have tested and how each compare with another. I believe that charts/graphs are such a clear, organized depiction and really are the best ways to explain & present research to general public. :)
DeleteSound is a great topic, I think you will be able to find a lot of information on this. I was wondering what materials you think would be beneficial to someone when building, say for example a basement suite, to use in order to completely soundproof an area. Do you think someone can ever be completely soundproofed due to vibrations etc.?
ReplyDeleteHey Desiree,
DeleteI don't believe that we can completely remove sound entirely, but I do think we can control it to the point where the human ear doesn't even really notice it. It also depends on the room, if there are any windows for example or any other ways that sound can escape from the space.
For my applied part I am working on a room, with no windows, where the walls are already built and I'm trying to minimize decreasing the size of the room as much as possible. If you had the oppertunity to build the wall & space yourself, there are many ways of doing so that will definitely help to decrease sound from transferring. An example of this is to offset 2 rows of studs on each side where they are not touching. (Paul Carter sent me an exellent picture of this). It prevents the vibrations from transferring easily as well as allowing enough room for more insulation in the wall.
Another excellent way of decreasing vibrations is the use of resilient channels. They are metal strips, usually designed with sort of a spring device that will collect the vibrations and prevent it from transferring through the studs and into the next room.
Thanks for your interest!