Book Review: Foundations of Vibroacoustics
Foundations of Vibroacoustics
Colin H. Hansen
CRC Press (2018)
360 pp., hardbound, $US185
ISBN 978-1138093805
This book is authored by the same Colin H. Hansen, emeritus professor, University of Adelaide, who coauthored with David A. Bies the highly regarded reference text Engineering Noise Control, Theory and Practice (now in its fifth edition). While this volume shares some of the same introductory materials and discussion with the earlier classic, the overall scope of this work is more on vibroacoustics, or the relationship between vibrating structures and radiated sound, and is suitable, according to the author, as a text for undergraduate and master’s courses in physics and mechanical engineering.
The book includes the following sections: (1) Basic Concepts and Acoustic Fundamentals (basic acoustical concepts, derivation of basic wave equations, and sound propagation in porous media); (2) Structural Mechanics Fundamentals (including vibrations in discrete and continuous systems); (3) Sound Radiation and Propagation Fundamentals (interactions between vibrating structure and surrounding media); (4) Acoustic and Structural Impedance and Intensity (sound energy propagation in air and structures due to structural input impedance, sound intensity, or structural intensity); (5) Modal Analysis (for the purpose of experimental characterization of structural and acoustical modes in enclosures); (6) Statistical Energy Analysis (vibration response of structures to applied forces and sound radiation of structure in the high-frequency region); and (7) Spectral Analysis Techniques (including identifying and quantifying noise sources); as well as appendices for (A) review of complex numbers and relevant matrix algebra, and (B) properties of materials.
The text does provide an organized, thorough, and well-written coverage of all listed topics discussed above, although perhaps more theoretical than applied. In addition to its intended primary use as an instructional text, it would also serve as a valuable addition to reference collections of professionals working in the fields of noise and vibration control engineering. The reviewer was slightly disappointed that the book did not provide a section of examples or sample problem sets with solutions, as was done for earlier editions of Engineering Noise Control, Theory and Practice, and which would have been ideal for student use or for professionals preparing for professional examinations.
