NOISE-CON 2016 Report

NOISE-CON 2016, the 2016 National Conference and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering, was held on June 13–15, 2016, in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. One hundred seventy-five technical presentations were given at the conference. The one hundred seventy-nine papers, along with other information about the conference, were distributed to the 293 attendees on a thumb drive. Michael Bahtiarian served as general chair, Herb Singleton served as vice chair, Eoin King served as the technical chair, Karl B. Washburn served as the technical vice chair, and Richard J. Peppin and Beth Levine served as the exposition managers. Gordon Ebbitt and Courtney Burroughs served as the proceedings editors. Dana Lodico served as the student activities chair.

Written papers were submitted in ten core-session topics and thirteen focused-session topics. The overall paper organization is shown below. Perhaps due to the location, there were a large number of papers focused on marine and architectural noise. The distribution of papers can also be seen in the list by major category shown below.

• HVAC and Building Systems Noise Control
• Workplace and Healthcare Acoustics
• Highway Noise
• FTA Model and Railway Noise
• Perception of Sound
• Modeling
• Element-Based Modeling Methods
• Education and Outreach
• Marine
• Measurements
• Automotive Noise
• Mufflers and Silencers
• Architectural Noise and Vibration Control
• Building Acoustics Measurement and Modeling
• Industrial Noise
• Mining Noise Control
• Product Noise
• IT Noise
• Community Noise
• Outdoor Sound Propagation
• Noise Policies, Legislation, and Regulations
• Active Control
• Wind Turbines
• Construction Noise
• Absorption Materials and Treatments
• Vibration of Structures and Structural Acoustics 10

In addition to the presentation of the technical papers at the conference, there were two special sessions held that provided meaningful information to those who attended:

• Special session honoring Richard Lyon, Eric E. Ungar, and István L. Vér. This special session provided a full historical perspective of the contributions of these outstanding contributors to the noise control profession.
• “Sound Choices: Empowering People and Protecting Nature” workshop. This workshop was open to the public and was focused on training educators about teaching the principals of acoustics and noise control at the elementary level. Each educator attending received a kit of materials and tools for providing engaging demonstrations.

There were also three short courses offered to those who attended the conference:

• “INCE Fundamentals Exam Prep Course”
• “Intensity Measurements,” taught by Steven Jorro, E-A-R Thermal Acoustic Systems
• “Marine Noise Simulations,” taught by Dr. Rabah Hadjit and Dr. Bryce Gardner, ESI-Group

The opening events for the conference were held on Monday, June 13. At this early morning session Mike Bahtiarian welcomed everyone to NOISE-CON 2016 and recognized the organizational team who put together the conference (Figure 1). Rick Kolano, INCE-USA president, thanked Mike and the team and provided an overview of INCE-USA, and also encouraged members to participate in the institute and contribute to the noise control engineering profession (Figure 2). The opening plenary presentation was provided by Dr. Robert Celmer of the University of Hartford (Figure 3). This presentation on the University of Hartford Acoustics Program provided an excellent overview of educational and research programs at the university in acoustics and noise control. Numerous undergraduate student programs were discussed. This program is innovative in actively involving students in solving industrial and community noise problems with realistic timelines and milestones. It provides an excellent educational experience for those entering into the noise control profession.

Figure 1. Mike Bahtiarian Opening NOISE-CON 2016

Figure 2. Rick Kolano, INCE-USA President, Welcoming Conference Participants

Figure 3. Dr. Robert Celmer Giving Opening Plenary Presentation

As has been done in recent NOISE-CON conferences, an app was used to provide attendees with a detailed schedule, session information, maps, and timely updates on events and issues. This app was developed and maintained by Jeff Fullerton. Based on the guidebook platform, this app proved highly effective and useful to attendees.

Also, on Monday morning, the public outreach workshop on community noise began. This workshop was open to the public and focused on training educators about teaching the principals of acoustics and noise control at the elementary level. There were approximately fifty attendees. Each educator attending received a kit of materials and tools for providing engaging demonstrations. This workshop was sponsored by A Quieter Future (AQF), the Michiko So Finegold Memorial Trust, and INCE-USA. In the morning session, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, National Park Service, and Dr. Jesse Barber from Boise State University discussed their research and the effects of noise on marine life, terrestrial wildlife, and plants. The afternoon session provided instruction for educators on how to use AQF STEM kits to teach children about the issues of noise in nature and our oceans.

The student luncheon was held at noon on Monday. This session was sponsored by the National Council of Acoustical Consultants (NCAC). There was an excellent turnout for this event with many useful discussions of careers in noise control engineering with representatives from industry, universities, and government.

The exposition opening reception was held Monday evening. With sixty-one exhibitors, there was much for the attendees to see in touring the exhibit space. The exhibit area was large and excellently arranged. There was good traffic flow and minimal congestion to impede people’s ability to visit the displays.

On Tuesday morning, June 14, the sessions began with a few announcements by Mike Bahtiarian. This was followed by the introduction of the plenary speaker, Kurt Yankaskas (Figure 4), by Joe Cuschieri. Dr. Yankaskas’s presentation, “Landing on the Roof,” provided an interesting account of noise control issues on US Navy aircraft carriers and the measures taken by the navy to protect sailor’s hearing. The use of modeling, innovative materials, and comprehensive audiometric testing was discussed in some detail.

Figure 4. Tuesday’s Plenary Speaker Kurt Yankaskas

Following this plenary, there was an interesting special session honoring Richard Lyon, Eric E. Ungar, and István L. Vér. This session, organized by Eric Wood, was an outstanding review of the numerous accomplishments of these pioneers in noise control engineering. With standing-room-only crowds, the session was well attended and widely praised. With presentations by colleagues, mentees, and family members, it was a moving session and a fitting tribute to these individuals and their contributions.

At noon on Tuesday, the women in noise control engineering lunch, sponsored by Scantek, Inc., was hosted by Patricia Davies. It was well attended with good discussions among those participating. This meeting provided a forum for women in the field to share their experiences with each other and talk about ways to increase the number of women participating in noise control engineering.

On Tuesday evening, a social event was held at the Rhode Island School of Design. All who attended had a wonderful evening enjoying the art and the opportunity to socialize with colleagues from around the world. This event was sponsored by Cambridge Sound Management.

On Wednesday morning, June 15, Karl Washburn introduced the plenary lecture by Dr. James F. Miller of the University of Rhode Island (Figure 5). Dr. Miller’s presentation, “Acoustic and Seismic Monitoring of Pile Driving for the First Offshore Wind Farm in the US,” provided a detailed account of the experimental study of the acoustic emissions from the Block Island Wind Farm. The noise emitted by the pile driving process to anchor this wind farm was discussed in considerable detail. Although all the data has not been analyzed, Dr. Miller’s presentation provided some useful insights into the nature of the sound generated and the direction effects resulting from the angles of repose used for the various pilings.

Figure 5. Wednesday’s Plenary Speaker Dr. James F. Miller

This presentation was followed by the INCE-USA awards ceremony (Figure 6), where several student and professional awards were made. These included three travel awards, two presentation awards, and recognition of the 2014 Beranek Medalists. All funding for these awards was provided by the INCE Foundation, some of it from directed donations. Dana Lodico, the student coordinator, introduced the student volunteers who were essential to making the conference operate efficiently (Figure 7).

Figure 6. Jeff Fullerton and Yong-Joe Kim Introducing Award Winners

Figure 7. NOISE-CON 2016 Student Volunteers

Professional Awards

• Martin Hirschorn IAC Award—Best Paper Prize
  • This prize is funded by the INCE Foundation to recognize the best published paper within the preceding two years on new and/or improved cost-effective noise control and/or acoustical conditioning products.
  • The winning entry for this award was “Noise Responses Before and After Noise Abatement Measures in a Residential Intervention Project.” The authors are Anita Gidlöf-Gunnarsson, Evy Öhrström, Tor Kihlman, and Jens Forssén.

• Distinguished Noise Control Engineer Award
  • This INCE-USA award recognizes individuals who have rendered conspicuous and consistently outstanding service to the institute and to the field of noise control engineering over a sustained period.
  • Awarded to Dr. Rajendra Singh for his long career as an outstanding researcher in the area of gear noise and an exemplary educator to so many individuals in the noise control industry, along with extensive contributions to INCE-USA and I-INCE that have enhanced the professional discussions and connections of our industry (Figure 8).
    

    Figure 8. Distinguished Noise Control Engineer Award Winner Dr. Rajendra Singh

• Laymon N. Miller Excellence in Acoustical Consulting Award
  • This award is to be provided to an individual who has practiced acoustical consulting in an exemplary manner over a sustained period of time to improve acoustical environments in and around buildings, transportation systems, work places, and recreational and other occupied spaces such that the quality of life for citizens and communities is significantly enhanced.
  • Awarded to James D. Barnes for his dedication to his clients, noise control engineering, and promulgating our knowledge in and awareness of acoustics to others toward the advancement of our industry and the betterment of society (Figure 9).

Figure 9. Laymon N. Miller Excellence in Acoustical Consulting Award Winner James D. Barnes

Student Awards

• Student Paper Competition
  • For NOISE-CON 2016, six entries, five awards were selected based on the peer reviews of their papers and presentations.
  • $1,000 was awarded to each winner, $500 for subsequent publication in NCEJ with the recognition as a Student Paper Competition winner.
  • Funding was provided by the INCE Foundation.
  • 2016 was the twenty-eighth competition.
  • 2016 INCE-USA Student Paper Competition winners are:
    • Gil Jun Lee, “Design of a Squeak Test Apparatus Based on a Modified Sprag-Slip Mechanism,” University of Cincinnati
    • Tongyang Shi, “The Use of Wideband Acoustical Holography for Noise Source Visualization,” Purdue University
    • Jiawei Liu, “Noise Source Identification Based on an Inverse Radiation Mode Procedure,” Purdue University
    • Kamil Kocak, “Analytical Modeling of a Single Hybrid Particle Impact Damper Under Periodic Impulse Excitation,” Georgia Tech
    • Shu Jiang, “High-Resolution Ultrasonic NDE Imaging Method with Virtually Expanded Circumferential Aperture in Small-Diameter Cylindrical Oil/Gas Pipes,” Texas A&M University

• “Classic Papers in Noise Control Engineering” Competition (formerly “Old Meets New”)
  • For NOISE-CON 2016, six entries, one winner was selected with $1000 prize (Figure 10).
  • Funding was provided by the INCE Foundation.
  • 2016 was the fifth competition.
  • 2016 INCE-USA Classic Papers in Noise Control Engineering Presentation Competition winner is:
    • Daniel Carr, “Revisiting Applegate and Croker’s 1976 NCEJ paper: ‘Reducing the Noise of a Rotary Lawn Mower Blade,’” Purdue University
      

      Figure 10. Classic Papers in Noise Control Engineering Award Winner

• Leo Beranek Student Medal for Excellence in the Study of Noise Control
  • The Beranek Medal committee consisted of Bill Cavanaugh, Lily Wang, and Eric Wood.
  • This award consists of an engraved medal and certificate of recognition to one undergraduate and one graduate student nominated by a North American institution. Funding was provided by the INCE Foundation.
  • 2016 was the sixth year of the award.
  • 2016 winners (three undergraduate and three graduate students) are:
    • Sean Hughes, University of Cincinnati, Undergraduate (Bronze)
    • Joel Bruns, Ohio State University, Undergraduate (Bronze)
    • Anna Catton, Michigan Tech University, Undergraduate (Bronze)
    • Tao Feng, University of Cincinnati, Graduate (Pewter)
    • Joseph Plattenburg, Ohio State University, Graduate (Pewter)
    • Troy Bouman, Michigan Tech University, Graduate (Pewter)
    • Peng Wang, University of Kentucky, Graduate (Pewter)

• Michiko So Finegold Award
  • Larry Finegold made a generous donation to the INCE Foundation from the Michiko So Finegold Memorial Trust. It is open to graduate students and young professionals studying noise effects research, development of noise policy, and related aspects of noise control engineering.
  • 2016 was the fourth year of the award.
  • Five awardees were selected for NOISE-CON 2016 (Figure 11).
  • Each 2016 award was $1,000.
  • 2016 Michiko So Finegold Travel Award Winners are:
    • Mahsa Asgarisabet, Michigan Tech University, Graduate
    • Philip Feurtado, Penn State University, Graduate
    • Tao Feng, University of Cincinnati, Graduate
    • Tongyang Shi, Purdue University, Graduate
    • Peng Wang, University of Kentucky, Graduate
      

      Figure 11. Michiko So Finegold Award Recipients

• Hallberg Foundation Award
  • Doug Winker made a generous donation to the INCE Foundation from the Elizabeth L. and Russell F. Hallberg Foundation. This travel award is open to undergraduate and graduate students attending and presenting at NOISE-CON or INTER-NOISE.
  • Four awardees were selected for NOISE-CON 2016 (Figure 12).
  • Each 2016 award was $1,000.
  • 2016 Hallberg Foundation Travel Award winners are:
    • Seongil Hwang, Texas A&M University, Graduate
    • Shu Jiang, Texas A&M University, Graduate
    • Gil Jun Lee, University of Cincinnati, Graduate
    • Hyunjun Shin, Purdue University, Graduate
      

      Figure 12. Hallberg Foundation Award Recipients

INCE-USA, with INCE Foundation support, was able to make nineteen travel awards to students to support them in presentation of their work at NOISE-CON 2016.

An important event held on Wednesday right after the opening session was the young professionals and students workshop. This was a 140-minute block of time containing a meet/greet with INCE-USA directors and officers, presentations on a number of topics and open discussions, and one-on-one discussion opportunities. Mandy Kachur organized an outstanding session that was well attended and provided a great opportunity for young professionals to learn about INCE, get some guidance from seasoned professionals, and network with each other.