ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to review and explain the range of methods available for reducing noise, starting with common sense ‘good housekeeping’ methods. The use of engineering methods to reduce noise involves understanding how noise is produced, and so the noise-generating mechanisms involved in some common sources of noise in industry are explained, and the principles of noise reduction described. The reduction of noise during its transmission path between the source and receiver, using the methods of sound insulation, sound absorption and vibration isolation, are discussed, as well as methods for the control of machinery noise at source. Methods for diagnosing the most important noise sources and paths and for the specification of noise from machinery are described.
