Abstract The following paper discusses acoustics signals that detect the presence and location of commercially useful fish, map the ocean floor to establish the safest paths for supertankers, explore the earth's geological formations and discover oil deposits in the ocean floor.
From the Paper "At a bottom of the permanent thermocline or below it, water temperature is uniform. Here, the pressure of the water column due to the depth takes over. The sound speeds then increase on account of increase in pressure. (Pacific) The deep sound channel axis is between 600 and 1,200 m below the sea surface at low and middle latitudes. This is deepest in the subtropics and come to the surface in high latitudes, where sound propagates in the surface layer. (Pacific)
Sound waves can be "trapped" in the deep sound channel and propagate in long distances. This is because these waves go through little attenuation beyond that, and this is due to geometric scattering or spread as well as minor volume scattering in water."
Abstract The field of acoustic phonetics studies the transmission of speech sounds through the air from the speaker to the hearer and measures and analyzes the movement and vibration of the air. It defines categories of speech sounds that are used to form distinctions between words in languages. This paper shows that by looking at the anatomy and physiology of speech and analyzing sound waves and mechanisms, we can create many interesting and useful applications in the field of sound. It shows how we can look at the influence of context on speech sound production, as well as develop applications to help those with disabilities that impair their communication ability. The paper shows how acoustic phonetics is applied to communications disorders and mentions the problem in this field in which all the early sound spectrograph and wave-form editors focused on analysis of the male voice spectrum, leaving out disabled women.
From the Paper "In theory we can talk about phonetics without reference to phonology?which is the actual pronunciation of words and sentence, the regular patterning that occurs, and why the sound "ing" used at the end of the word "sing" for example, never occurs at the beginning of a word. But in fact, we can only truly define phonology in relation to phonetics, which deals with all speech sounds. Phonetics has taught us that although humans are capable of producing an enormous number of speech sounds, each language uses only some of the sounds available, and no two languages have exactly the same set of speech sounds. Even more interesting, each language organizes and makes use of sounds in its own particular way."
Abstract The term architectural acoustics refers to the creation of rooms or concert halls that provide musical sound of high quality. Acoustics are a challenge to all designers of concert halls. The architect aims for the best possible clarity of sound for a knowledgeable listener will hear immediately if the sound of a note is distorted by the interior of the place in which it is played.
Abstract The following paper discusses elements such as room size, room composition, room shape, and the location of the listener and sound source, when designing theater acoustics. Finding the ultimate impulse response with testing is also discussed.
From the paper:
?It has been considered that gross errors in concert hall design are rarely due to use of the wrong absorption coefficients, as most of the materials used are highly reflective. A theatre audience first hears sound generated from the source. Then they will hear attenuated bounces of sound off the walls. The sound is again and again reflected off the walls, resulting in total reverberation of the sound. In a large room such as a theatre, reverberation time can be as long as four seconds.?
Abstract This paper examines architecture, acoustics and reflected sound. It explains how rooms and concert halls are designed to minimize reflected noise and enhance sound quality
Abstract The violin is both a work of art and a musical instrument. Its complex and often disputed history is explored in this paper. The paper begins by introducing the instrument and then discusses a brief history of its development. The violin's construction is examined as well as its sound, tone and acoustics.
Introduction
History of the Violin
Violin Construction
Sound, Tone and Acoustics Conclusions/Analysis
From the Paper "The violin is one of the most remarkable and at the same time complex of string instruments. One cannot argue that the violin of today is both a work of art and a musical instrument that must be appreciated for its complexity and brilliance. The quality of sound and tonal differentiations produced when playing depend on many factors, including the construction of the actual instrument itself and the skill of the player.
The history of the violin is long and highly debated. There are those that claim the violin has been in existence since early biblical times, whereas others argue that the true violin as we know it today did not emerge until the mid 17th to eighteenth centuries. These differences in opinion are due largely to one's interpretation of the violin."
Abstract This paper introduces and discusses pile tests methods - pile-load tests and integrity tests. The integrity tests include the acoustic test and the seismic test method. For each test the procedure and interpretation are discussed. Real-world cases are investigated and pictures are presented. Advantages and disadvantages of each method are concluded in the end.
From the Paper "In carrying out a maintained load test to determine the load capacity of a pile, it is suggested that it is necessary first to estimate the load capacity so that a suitable loading and reaction system may be provided, and then to define some physical event by which "failure", and hence the ultimate capacity of the pile may be recognized. Among the commonly used definitions of the ultimate load capacity are: First--The load that causes a settlement equal to 10% of the pile diameter. Second?The load at which the rate of settlement continues undiminished without further increment of load, unless this rate is so slow as to indicate that settlement may be a result of consideration of the soil. For example, Qu in Figure 2 could be taken as the ultimate load."
Abstract Richard Cavell tackles one of the all-time greats of communication theory in his article on ?McLuhan and Spatial Communication.? The paper explains that Marshall McLuhan was one of the great prophets (some would say charlatans) of early communication theory. For a long time he was one of one of the only celebrities of the field and toured wildly to give his opinions on the subject. They were certainly opinions worth hearing, for he had some remarkably new and insightful things to say about media, communication, and the way in which technology affects human development. The paper shows, however, that within the scope of his own lifetime, he went from spokesman to outcast and academia widely turned against him. Before his death his saw the school he had founded shut down and his work widely discredited. Since the rise of the Internet, however, the development of other, new forms of entertainment and media, McLuhanism has enjoyed something of an academic comeback. It is with this background in mind that the paper approaches Cavell's work on McLuhan, for much of his essay deals with presenting an explanation for McLuhan's disenfranchisement from and eventual re-adoption by the academic community. According to Cavell's central thesis, McLuhan's anomalous position and his lasting durability within the field of communications theory both spring from his ?elaboration of a spatial model of communication... based on the notion of acoustic space... situated within the spatial bias of postmodernist thought.?
From the Paper "Cavell's failure to bring up the way in which McLuhan's theories on space have been substantiated through current technological advances is an important one. Cavell explains in great length the way that McLuhan's theories draw from the history of technological development to explain the development of various forms of consciousness and space. Yet in explaining McLuhan's continued relevance, he somehow fails to take the logical step and relate McLuhan's dynamic space to what is today commonly called ?cyberspace.? Many theorists of the digital revolution look to McLuhan as one of the greatest prophets and thinkers of the Internet Revolution, having discussed its many complications and impacts years before it even existed. Paul Levinson explains that it is the Internet, not TV, that best fulfills the role of the media in creating the acoustic space described by McLuhan."
Abstract Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neuro-degenerative disorder producing deterioration of the motor cortex and motoneurons of the brainstem and spinal cord. In particular, patients are affected by the vulnerability of the cranial motoneurons that assist speech and swallowing. The disease usually leads to death in 3 to 5 years due to respiratory complications.
Abstract This essay will discuss the various considerations that go into the design of a room or concert hall with the aim of producing acoustically enhanced sound and music quality. In general, the sound levels that can be heard by the human ear is between the range of 20 to 20,000 Hz.
This paper discusses bluegrass music, a form of American roots music with its own roots in the Irish and Scottish traditional music of immigrants from the British Isles, particularly the Scots-Irish immigrants from Appalachia, and the music of slaves.
Abstract This paper explains that bluegrass songs are played with each melody instrument switching off playing the melody each time through, while the others revert to backing; in contrast to old-time music, in which all instruments play the melody together at the same time rather than solo. The author points out that, since the people lived in rural areas, the songs were written about life on the farm or in the hills; this type of music was known as "mountain music" or "country music". The paper relates that the rigid characteristic of the bluegrass genre is usually limited to the traditional, five, acoustic, rather than electric, instruments: banjo (5-string); guitar (flat-top); fiddle; mandolin; and bass.
From the Paper "Bill Monroe learned much about melody and timing from his uncle, and from the singing school classes he attended at church each summer. A middle-aged black man named Arnold Schultz who worked for a local coal company in Bill's neighborhood also helped his musical education. In Schultz's country blues, Bill found a new way to approach music - to allow his emotions to influence his playing and singing. Schultz impressed Bill with stories of music contests he had won throughout Kentucky, and one Saturday night when he was hired to play fiddle for a dance, he took Bill along to play guitar behind him. They were still going strong at dawn."
Abstract Discusses various hearing aid devices. Earliest forms of hearing aids and their development. Direction of future hearing aid design. First techniques and devices to combat hearing loss. Ear trumpets, the acoustic throne. How acoustic hearing aids work. Electronic and carbon hearing aids. Vacuum hearing aids. Transistors. Implant controversy.
From the Paper "Vision and hearing may be the most critical of the five human senses in terms of everyday existence. Certainly being completely deprived of either of these two senses makes it difficult to even move about one's environment safely, and communication is made much more difficult if one lacks vision or hearing. Both senses tend to deteriorate with age, and both can be disrupted by accident, illness or from environmental factors. In the case of aging and even environmental factors (such as ongoing exposure to loud noises), the senses deteriorate over time, but with other factors, such as illness or accident, the sensory loss can be immediate. Humankind has developed various devices for assisting those who lose visual or auditory acuity, and individuals begin compensating for the loss of these senses without artificial devices..."
Abstract This paper is on acoustics and listening quality. A number of factors go into the design of concert halls and rooms to enhance their potential for listening quality. The sheer number of these factors have meant that designers face a number of difficulties in designing their listening spaces. As this essay will argue, the design of spaces to enhance their listening quality depends to a great degree upon a variety of these acoustical factors.
Abstract The paper shows that the construction of piled foundations is a skilled operation, and calls for a high level of training and experience. Though they are not infrequent, when faults are discovered in some important piles, the consequences could be severe. This paper describes two major types of pile tests: Pile-load test and Integrity test. The integrity tests include acoustic test, and seismic test method. For each pile test, the procedure and interpretation are discussed. An actual case is investigated and pictures are presented.
From the Paper "Acoustic test:
"Advantages: The system scans the pile concrete radially for a distance of approximate 100mm around the drilled hole or installed tube. The method is relatively rapid, some tens of tests being possible daily.
Disadvantages: Pre-selection is generally required as it is usual to install purpose made tubes in the pile for the equipment. It is necessary to employ plastic tubes for this purpose, with the attendant risk of collapse, steel tubes being unsuitable for single hole logging. The installation of the tube adds to the reinforcement steel in restricting free concrete flow and may in itself lead to defects. Poor bonding of the tube to the concrete may yield an anomalous response. Unless a hole is drilled, it is not possible to inspect right to the base of a pile by this method. Specialist interpretation is generally necessary."
Abstract This paper introduces the general study of sound, and, specifically, ultrasonic phenomena. Human versus animal perception of sound is discussed. The use of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in humans is outlined.
From the Paper "One of the greatest tools that man has ever had in the drive to preserve his own body is that of understanding. Particularly, through greater comprehension of the processes and logistics that facilitate our body functions, we can make further gains in aiding them where need exists. Sonic study is indicative of that very fact and, specifically, with the inception of sound exploration into the canon of physics came evidence that sound is more than just what human beings can hear. Rather, we now understand sound as acoustic energy existing in amplitudes of widely varying sizes and intensities. Further, the human ear perceives these amplitudes by translating their frequency. This frequency, a measure of the quantity of sound waves an object (i.e. vocal chords, drum skin, etc.) produces per second, may occur across an infinite range of measurements, expressed in hertz. The human ear, however, has a decidedly finite capacity for sound comprehension that falls somewhere between 20 and 20,000 Hz. Any sound occurring above that frequency is defined as ultrasonic. That is, ultrasonic phenomena are those sounds that exceed "normal" human hearing capabilities, normal being defined as that hearing which falls within the aforementioned frequency comprehension range."
