dB Arithmetic

Basic SPL Calculations

Decibels (dB) scale

Definition: A linear numbering scale used to define a logarithmic amplitude scale, thereby compressing a wide range of amplitude values to a small set of numbers.

Our ear detect Sound Intensity, I.

We always measure Sound Pressure, p (Pa N/m2). Relationship between Sound Intensity, I and Pressure, p I (pressure)2

Our ear detects sound pressure as low as 2 x 10-5 N/m2. The highest (before pain) is 200 N/m2. ______ 200 N/m2 } 106 N/m2 Units of difference _______ 2 x 10-5 N/m2

Bell (Alexander Graham) took logs to reduce the range by a factor of 10 Bel = log ( I / Iref ) = log ( p / pref)2 = log (actual sound pressure / reference sound pressure)2

But the scale was not fine enough, so he developed a tenth of this scale or deciBel dB = 10 log ( p / pref)2 = 20 log ( p / pref) where pref = 2 x 10-5 N/m2

Note that dB is not a unit !!!!

Sound Intensity

In sound field where waves emitting from a source refer to intensity of sound at a point. Intensity, I is the amount of energy passing through unit area per unit time and is expressed in Watts / m2 I (pressure)2

I (p)2
(I / Iref) = (p / pref)2
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but,

dB = 10 log (p / pref)2 = 10 log (I / Iref)

where Iref = threshold intensity, measured in Watt / m2

For plane wave, Intensity, I = p2 / c Where = density c = velocity of sound c = 410 rayls in air at normal temperatures and pressures. = characteristic acoustic impedance of air. so, threshold intensity = [ (2x10-5)2 / 410 ] W/m2 = 10-12 W/m2

Pressure in dB is called Sound Pressure Level (SPL) and can be written as, SPL = 20 log (actual sound pressure / ref. sound pressure) = 10 log (I / Iref)

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Example
The RMS pressure of a sound is 200 Pa (N/m2). What is the sound pressure level (SPL) ? SPL = 20 log [ (200) / (2x10-5) ] = 20 log [107] = 140 dB

Note: 200 Pa or 140 dB is the peak action level of the Noise at Work Regulations 1989.
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Example
What is the intensity of a sound whose RMS is 200 Pa ? I = p2 / c = (200)2 /410 = 97.8 W/m2

Sound Intensity level of = = =

the sound = 10 log (I / Iref) 10 log [ (97.8) / (10-12) ] 10 log 1014 140 dB

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Example
What is the sound pressure level in decibels of a sound whose intensity is 0.01 W/m2 ? SPL = 10 log [ 0.01 / 10-12 ] = 10 log 1010 = 100 dB Intensity can also be defined as the amount of sound energy (or sound power) that is delivered to the ear.
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Example
Suppose p = 2 x 10-1 N/m2. What is the decibel level? dB = 20 log [ (2x10-1) / (2x10-5) ] = 10 log [ 104 ] = 80 dB

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CONTINUE
If the sound pressure is double, what is the new dB value? dB = 20 log [ (2x2x10-1) / (2x10-5) ] = 10 log [ 2x104 ] = 86 dB

When we double the sound pressure, 6 dB is added.

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Addition of Sound Level

If we add 2 or more sound pressure levels together, we add the intensities and convert back to dB.

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Example
Two machines each have 90 dB sound level. What is the resultant dB when both machines are working together?

90 dB 9 dB 109

= = =

10 log (I90 / Iref) log (I90 / Iref) I90 / Iref

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I90 = 109 x Iref Also I90 = 109 x Iref

machine 1 .machine 2

Adding,

I = [I90 + I90] = [ 2x109 x Iref ] watts/m2

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dB = 10 log (I / Iref) where Iref = 10-12 watts/m2

dB

= 10 log [(2x109 x Iref) / Iref] = 10 log [(2x109] = 93 dB

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Averaging decibels
The average of a number of decibels may be found from the following equation: LAV = 10 log [ (10L1/10 + 10L2/10 + .+ 10Ln/10) / n ]

= 10 log [(10L1/10 + 10L2/10 + .+ 10Ln/10)] - 10 log n

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where

n = number of different sounds LAV = average of the decibels L1 = first SPL in dB L2 = second SPL in dB

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Time varying noise

The level of many noises varies with time, for eg. traffic sounds. It is not easy to find a measure which can accurately quantify with a single number what is heard. Statistical measurement are made in dB(A) because that corresponds approximately to the response of the ear.
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L10 = sound level in dB(A) which is exceeded for 10% of the time.

L50 = sound level in dB(A) which is exceeded for 50% of the time. L90= sound level in dB(A) which is exceeded for 90% of the time.

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Equivalent continuous noise level, Leq

Leq is the sound pressure level of a steady sound that has, over a given period, the same energy as the fluctuating sound. It is an average and is measured in dB(A).

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Leq = 10 log {(t1 x 10L1/10 + t2 x 10L2/10 + t3 x 10L3/10 + ..........+ tn x 10Ln/10) / T} Where

t1 = time at L1 dB(A) t2 = time at L2 dB(A) t3 = time at L3 dB(A) T = total time over which the Leq is required.
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Example
Calculate the Leq over an eight-hour day for a worker exposed to the following noise levels and duration. dB(A) Time (hour) 94 3 89 2 98 0.5 83 2.5
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Leq = 10 log {(3 x 109.4 + 2 x 108.9 + 0.5 x 109.8 + 2.5 x 108.3) / 8} = 92 dB(A)

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Sound Power

Total sound power in watts is equal to the intensity in watts / m2 multiplied by the area in m2.

Since Intensity is directly proportional to the square of the sound pressure, so the sound power level (SWL) (or Intensity level) is proportional to the square of sound pressure level.
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SWL = 10 log (actual Intensity / ref. Intensity) = 10 log (Wactual / Wref) where Wactual is the sound power in watts and Wref is the reference power of 10-12 watts.

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Example
Determine the sound power level of 0.001 watts. SWL = 10 log (0.001 / 10-12) = 10 log (10-3) + 120 = 90 dB re 10-12 W

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Sound Power and Sound Intensity

The sound intensity from a point source of sound radiating uniformly into free space can be found from the power output and the distance from the source, r. Intensity, I = [(sound power W (watts)) / 4r2 ]

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If the sound is produced at ground level, assuming that the ground is perfectly reflecting, then the energy is only radiated into a hemisphere instead of a complete sphere. Intensity becomes, I = W / 2r2
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Example
Calculate the intensity and SPL of a sound at a distance of 10 m from a uniformly radiating source of 1 watt power. Intensity, I = = = W / 4r2 1.0 / 4 (10)2 7.95 x 10-4 W/m2
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SPL = 10 log [(7.95 x 10-4) / 10-12] = 10 log 7.95 x 108 = 89 dB

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Relation between Sound Power Level (SWL), Sound Pressure Level (SPL) and distance from source to receiver r in a free field ie with no reflections except the ground.

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SWL = 10 log (W / Wref) Wref = 10-12 Watts SPL = 10 log (p / pref)2 pref = (2x10-5) N/m2

(1)

(2)

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Total power, W = [ p2 / c] x area of sphere = [ p2 / c] x 4r2 (3) Substitute (1) and (2) into (3), SPL = SWL 20 log r 11 (for spherical radiation) SPL = SWL 20 log r 8 (for hemispherical radiation)

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Example
How many dBs is the result of doubling the intensity? SWL1 = 10 log ( I / Iref) = 10 log ( I / 10-12)

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Double,

SWL2 = 10 log ( 2I / Iref) = 10 log ( 2I / 10-12)

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Suppose,

I = 1 watt/m2

SWL1 = 120 dB SWL2 = 123 dB

ie: 3 dB increase.

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dB Summation..

Other Method
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dB Summation.. Other Method

50 dBA + 50 dBA = 100 dBA ???

WRONG !

50 dBA + 50 dBA =

. THATS RIGHT !
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53 dBA

dB Summation

Cannot add up the numbers .as the dBs are ratios.

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dB SPL1=Pressure 1, dB SPL2=Pressure 2, New Pressure= Pressure 1 + Pressure 2.

New SPL = 20 log (New
pressure

Ref pressure)

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dB Summation

Use of Charts Use of Tables Exact Calculations

Use of charts and tables are convenient, and for quick rule of thumb estimates. Use of calculators for accurate calculations.
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By Calculations
dB1 = 10 log (Pressure1 / Ref pressure)2 dB2 = 10 log (Pressure2 / Ref pressure)2 10dB1/10 = (Pressure1 / Ref pressure)2 10dB2/10 = (Pressure2 / Ref pressure)2

(New Pr / Ref pr.)2 = (Pr1 / Ref pr)2 + (Pr2 / Ref pr)2 = 10dB1/10 + 10dB2/10 New dB = 10 log (New Pressure / Ref pressure)2 = 10 log (10dB1/10 + 10dB2/10 ).

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By Calculations
Nett for 2 SPL = 10 log ( 10
dB1/10

+ 10

dB2/10).

3 SPL = 10 log (10dB1/10 + 10dB2/10 + 10dB3/10).

n SPL = 10 log (10dB1/10 + 10dB2/10 + 10dB3/10 ++ 10dBn/10).

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Use of Charts

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To use the curve proceed as follows: 1. Calculate the difference, L, between the two sound pressure levels. 2. Use the curve to find L+. 3. Add L+ to the highest level to get Lt, the total level.
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Use of Charts

Example : Difference between two levels 6 dBA Add to highest level 1 dBA. 55 dBA + 49 dBA = ? Difference 6 dBA Nett = 55 + 1 = 56 dBA.
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Addition of Two Sources

If the levels differ by 0 or 1 dB 2 or 3 dB 4 to 9 dB 10 dB or over The following should be added to the higher 3 dB 2 dB 1 dB 0 dB
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Subtraction of Two Sources

If the levels differ by More than 10 dB 6 to 9 dB The difference is the higher level minus 0 dB 1 dB

5 to 4 dB
3 dB 2 dB

2 dB
3 dB 5 dB (approx)

1 dB

7 dB (approx)
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Examples
Notes page 16

1. 78 dB + 81 dB = ? Difference between 2 levels = 81-78 = 3 dB Value to be added to higher level = 2 dB (From table / graph) Resulting level = 2 + 81 = 83 dB By calculations Result = 10 log (10

7.8

+ 10

8.1

) = 82.8 dB

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Examples..

2. 86 dB + 92 dB = ? Difference between 2 levels = 92-86 = 6 dB Value to be added to higher level = 1 dB Resulting level = 1 + 92 = 93 dB
By calculations Result = 10 log (10 = 10 log (10 = 93.0 dB

86/10 8.6

+ 10 92/10 ) + 10 9.2 )

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Examples..

3. Fan 85 dBA as measured at workers position.

Fan to be added at first fan location, 84 dBA. Find new noise levels.
85 dBA + 84 dBA = ? Difference between 2 levels = 85-84 = 1 dBA Value to be added to higher level = 3 dBA Resulting level = 3 + 85 = 88 dBA

By calculations Result = 10 log (10

8.5

+ 10

8.4

) = 87.5 dBA
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4. A manufacturers data sheet shows that a compressor model A01 has an overall sound power level of 100 dB(A) and model A02 an overall sound power level of 92 dB(A). The measured noise level at a workers position with both compressors operating was 87 dB(A). The compressors are located together. What is the likely noise level at the workers position if model A02 is shut off? Accuracy of manufacturers data can be assumed.

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Examples..
Model A01 = 100 dBA Model A02 = 92 dBA Noise at workers position = 87 dBA What is the noise level with Model A02 off ?... Difference between 2 levels = 100-92 = 8 dBA Value to be subtracted from higher level = 1 dBA Resulting level = 87-1 = 86 dBA

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Practical Example..
Two noise sources operating simultaneously with total SPL of 95 dBA. With one noise source switched off , the remaining SPL is 91 dBA. What is the SPL of the noise source thats switched off ? Original total SPL = 95 dBA Difference in levels was 4 dBA, meaning that 2 dBA to be deducted from the higher original level. Resulting level = 95-2 = 93 dBA Check Sum : 91 dBA + 93 dBA = 95 dBA
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Practical Usage

The subtraction of noise source(s) and noise levels from an existing total measured level is often used to determine the individual noise contribution of a particular noise source(s).

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Octave Band Summation

Respective octave band values are summed up to obtain the overall level.
Frequency (Hz) SPL Linear dB 73 63 50 48 46 40 35 30 22 31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

Overall dB = 73 dB + 63 dB +50 dB + ...+ 22 dB = 10 log( 10 7.3 +10 6.3 +10 5.0 +10 4.8 +10 4.6 +10 4.0+10 3.5+10 3.0+10 2.2 ) = 73 dB

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Octave Band Summation

If the individual octave bands SPL are in linear, the overall summation result in the overall Linear SPL. If the individual octave bands SPL are in Aweighted , the overall summation result in the overall A-weighted SPL. To convert linear SPL into A-weighted SPL requires A-weighted adjustments in the individual frequency bands according to the A-weighted curve.

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A-weighted SPL Conversions

Consider a sound with linear octave band values as tabulated below. Find the overall linear SPL and overall A-weighted SPL.
31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 Overall Calculated

Frequency

SPL Linear A Correction SPL dBA

73 -39 34

63

50

48 -9 39

45 -3 42

40 0 40

36 1 37

30 1 31

22 -1 21

73

-26 -16 37 34

47

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A-weighted Octave Band Summation

Respective octave band values after A-weighted corrections are summed up to obtain the overall level.
Frequency (Hz) SPL dBA 34 37 34 39 42 40 36 31 21 31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

Overall dBA = 34 dBA+37 dBA+39 dBA+ .+ 21 dBA = 10 log( 10 3.4 +10 3.7 +10 3.4 +10 3.9 +10 4.2 +10 4.0+10 3.6+10 3.1+10 2.1 ) = 47 dBA

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dB Summation

Cannot add up the numbers .as the dBs are ratios. Have to use anti-log to convert the dB (ratio) back to pressures, .. and add up the pressure. The dB of the resulting pressure is then obtained as a ratio to the reference pressure.
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