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B6376 - Acoustics

Academic Year 2025/2026

                
                        Docente:
                        Federica Morandi
                    
                        Credits:
                        3
                    
                        SSD:
                        ING-IND/11
                    
                        Language:
                        Italian
                    
                        Teaching Mode:
                        In-person learning (entirely or partially)
                        
                            Campus:
                            Forli
                        
                            Corso:
                            Second cycle degree programme (LM) in
                            Nautical Engineering (cod. 5947)

                                    Course Timetable
                                
from Feb 25, 2026 to Jun 03, 2026

Learning outcomes

The student acquires fundamental knowledge about sound waves in air and their perception by humans. They are familiar with the main acoustic quantities and the methods for measuring them. They have basic knowledge of signal analysis in the time and frequency domains. They understand the fundamental laws of sound absorption and sound insulation. They know the main techniques for measuring and controlling noise on boats to improve onboard comfort.

Course contents

1. Fundamental concepts of physical acoustics and psychoacoustics
Main acoustic quantities (pressure, particle velocity, speed of sound, intensity, etc.). Acoustic impedances and electrical analogy. Acoustic wave equation and its solutions. Overview of the functioning of the human auditory system. Introduction to psychoacoustics.

2. Introduction to acoustic signalprocessing
Characteristics of sound signals. Decibel scale. Introduction to frequency analysis. Spectra. Filters. Weighting curves. Measurement of sound levels. ISO 2923. Sound Quality parameters ISO 532-1.

3. Instrumentation for acoustic measurements
Calibrated measurement chains, measurement uncertainty (ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008). Uncalibrated measurement chains: sound level meter, beamforming (overview).

4. Sound-Material Interaction
Acoustic absorption: fundamental laws and control mechanisms. Acoustic insulation: fundamental laws and control mechanisms. Materials for acoustics: porous materials, membrane and cavity resonators, microperforated materials, acoustic metamaterials.

5. Noise Control on Boats
Identification and characterization of noise sources: propulsion and exhaust noise, hydrodynamic and aerodynamic noise, Source-Path-Receiver modeling. Predictive methods. Numerical modeling (overview). Solutions for noise control on boats. Guidelines for comfort (IMO A458, MLC, ABS, RINA, BV, DNV GL, LR).

Readings/Bibliography

Handouts provided by the teacher on https://virtuale.unibo.it

Further reading: Fisher, Boroditsky: “Noise and Vibration Control on Ships. Understanding and Cutting Through the Noise”, Springer, 2024.

Teaching methods

Lectures and any experimental activities in the laboratory/on site.

Assessment methods

The final exam is oral and includes questions aimed at assessing the acquisition of the knowledge outlined in the course syllabus and evaluating the achievement of the educational objectives.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, PC, projector.

Office hours

See the website of Federica Morandi