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Getting to Grips with Aircraft Noise

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9.3. PSYCHO-ACOUSTICS<br />

Flight Operations Support & Line Assistance<br />

<strong>Getting</strong> <strong>to</strong> grips <strong>with</strong> aircraft noise<br />

9 - A BIT OF THEORY<br />

9.3.1. NOTION OF SOUND INTENSITY LEVEL (SIL)<br />

The human eardrum is sensitive <strong>to</strong> sound intensity. Practically, the human ear perceives<br />

sounds, the intensity of which varies from 1.10 -12 W/m 2 (threshold of perception) <strong>to</strong> 100<br />

W/m 2 , (threshold of pain).<br />

In order <strong>to</strong> cope <strong>with</strong> this wide range, a logarithmic scaling has been defined. It is called<br />

the Sound Intensity Level (SIL) and its unit is the decibel (dB):<br />

⎛ I ⎞<br />

SIL = 10 log<br />

⎜⎜<br />

⎟⎟<br />

⎝ I 0 ⎠<br />

, in decibel (dB) (9.3.1-1)<br />

Where: I is the actual average sound intensity<br />

I0 is the average intensity at the threshold of perception for a<br />

pure sound<br />

The following chart gives some typical noise levels in our everyday life<br />

Sound Intensity Level (dB) Item<br />

140 Threshold of pain<br />

110 Pneumatic drill<br />

100 Concorde (at takeoff)<br />

90 Truck<br />

60 Conversation<br />

35/40 Library<br />

25 Bedroom<br />

61

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