Hollow cylinders often exhibit backward propagation modes whose group and phase velocities have opposite directions, and these exhibit a minimum possible frequency at which the group velocity vanishes at a nonzero wavenumber. These zero-group-velocity (ZGV) points are associated with resonant conditions in the medium. On the basis of ZGV resonances, a non-contact and laser ultrasound technique has been developed to measure elastic constants of hollow pipes. This paper provides a theoretical and numerical investigation of the influence of the contained liquid on backward waves and associated ZGV modes, in order to explore whether this ZGV technique is suitable for in-service non-destructive evaluations of liquid-filled pipes. Dispersion spectra and excitation properties have been analyzed. It is found that the presence of the liquid causes an increased number of backward modes and ZGVs which are highly excitable by a point source. In addition, several guided modes twice undergo a change of sign in the slopes of their dispersion curves, leading to two ZGV points. This phenomenon of double ZGVs in one backward wave, which is caused by strong mode repulsions, has not been found in isotropic hollow cylinders, but it can be observed in a fluid-filled thin-walled pipe.
A method is presented that makes it possible to reconstruct an arbitrary sound field based on measurements with a spherical microphone array. The proposed method (spherical equivalent source method) makes use of a point source expansion to describe the sound field on the rigid spherical array, from which it is possible to reconstruct the sound field over a three-dimensional domain, inferring all acoustic quantities: sound pressure,particle velocity, and sound intensity. The problem is formulated using a Neumann Green's function that accounts for the presence of the rigid sphere in the medium. One can reconstruct the total sound field, or only the incident part, i.e., the scattering introduced by the sphere can be removed, making the array virtually transparent. The method makes it possible to use sequential measurements: different measurement positions can be combined, providing an extended measurement area consisting of an array of spheres, and the sound field at any point of the source-free domain can be estimated, not being restricted to spherical surfaces. Because it is formulated as an elementary wave model, it allows for diverse solution strategies (least squares, -norm minimization, etc.), revealing an interesting perspective for further work.
The aim of this study was to provide an understanding of how residents in apartment buildings perceive and react to impact sounds coming from the upstairs neighbours' dwellings. Based on existing theoretical and empirical studies on environmental noise, a conceptual model was developed to explain relationships among noise annoyance and non-acoustic factors. The model was then tested using structural equation modelling with survey data from residents living in apartment buildings (N = 487). The findings showed that the conceptual model was consistent with other models developed for environmental noises. The results indicated that annoyance induced by floor impactnoise was associated with perceived disturbance, coping, and self-reported health complaints. Noise sensitivity had a direct impact on perceived disturbance and an indirect impact on annoyance, and moderating variables affected the non-acoustic factors. Exposure to footstep noises increased the impact size of noise sensitivity to disturbance. Predictability, marital status, and house ownership were found to influence the relationship between attitudes towards authorities and coping. In addition, a negative attitude towards neighbours (i.e., the noise source) moderated the positive relationship between annoyance and coping.
