Noise and Vibration Control Engineering is a completely new single-source guide to all aspects of noise and vibration control. It offers mechanical, acoustical, architectural, electrical and chemical engineers and students the engineering principles necessary for designing quiet conditions into industrial machinery motors, power plant equipment, air-conditioning systems, factories, buildings, and transportation systems. Contributors are among the world's leading acoustical scientists and consultants, many associated with Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. Assuming only a general engineering background, Hoist and Vibration Control Engineering begins with an examination of acoustic basics: decibels, sound power, and the properties of the various sources that create noise. The book identifies key parameters which govern sound power output and examines how noise can be controlled at its sources. Readers learn how sound propagates outdoors, around or over barriers and in enclosed spaces such as rooms and vehicles. Noise and Vibration Control Engineering moves on to discuss the basic components of noise control: active noise control techniques, sound absorbers, mufflers, enclosures, wrappings, barriers, walls, vibration isolators and vibration damping materials and their proper use in solving common noise and vibration control problems. The book shows how to control noise caused by gas flows, ventilation systems, machines, reciprocating engines and gears. Finally, it examines to what level noise must be reduced so as not to affect work performance, enjoyment of speech, radio, TV and music at home or in public spaces or to damage hearing. In addition to offering techniques to assess problems, takemeasurements, and implement appropriate noise and vibration control treatments, Noise and Vibration Control Engineering contains a condensed collection of authoritative, up-to-date design information, criteria and references. Finally, it provides comprehensive information about laws and codes governing noise and its control.