dB Arithmetic

Basic SPL Calculations

1
 Decibels (dB) scale
Definition:

A linear numbering scale used to

define a logarithmic amplitude scale,
thereby compressing a wide range of
amplitude values to a small set of
numbers.

2
 Our ear detect Sound Intensity, I.

We always measure Sound Pressure, p

(Pa N/m2).

Relationship between Sound Intensity, I

and Pressure, p
I (pressure)2

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 Our ear detects sound pressure as low as
2 x 10-5 N/m2.
The highest (before pain) is 200 N/m2.
______ 200 N/m2
} 106 N/m2
Units of difference
_______ 2 x 10-5 N/m2

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Bell (Alexander Graham) took logs to
reduce the range by a factor of 10
Bel = log ( I / Iref )
= log ( p / pref)2
= log (Actual sound pressure /
Reference sound pressure)2

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But the scale was not fine enough, so he
developed a tenth of this scale or deciBel

dB = 10 log ( p / pref)2
= 20 log ( p / pref)

where pref = 2 x 10-5 N/m2

Note that dB is not a unit !!!!

6
 Sound Intensity
In sound field where waves emitting from a
source refer to intensity of sound at a
point.
Intensity, I is the amount of energy
passing through unit area per unit time and
is expressed in Watts / m2
I (pressure)2
I (p)2
(I / Iref) = (p / pref)2

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but, dB = 10 log (p / pref)2
= 10 log (I / Iref)

where Iref = threshold intensity,

measured in Watt / m2

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For plane wave,
Intensity, I = p2 / c
Where = density
c = velocity of sound
c = 410 rayls in air at normal
temperatures and pressures.
= characteristic acoustic impedance
of air.
so, threshold intensity = [ (2x10-5)2 / 410 ] W/m2
= 10-12 W/m2

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Pressure in dB is called Sound Pressure Level
(SPL) and can be written as,

SPL = 20 log (Actual sound pressure /

Ref. sound pressure)
= 10 log (I / Iref)

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 Example 1
The RMS pressure of a sound is 200 Pa
(N/m2). What is the sound pressure level
(SPL) ?
SPL = 20 log [ (200) / (2x10-5) ]
= 20 log [107]
= 140 dB
Note: 200 Pa or 140 dB is the peak
action level of the Noise at Work
Regulations 1989.

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 Example 2
What is the sound intensity level of a sound whose
RMS is 200 Pa ?
I = p2 / c
= (200)2 /410
= 97.8 W/m2
Sound Intensity level of the sound = 10 log (I / Iref)
= 10 log [ (97.8) / (10-12) ]
= 10 log 1014
= 140 dB

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 Example 3
What is the sound pressure level in
decibels of a sound whose intensity is
0.01 W/m2 ?
SPL = 10 log [ 0.01 / 10-12 ]
= 10 log 1010
= 100 dB

Intensity can also be defined as the

amount of sound energy (or sound power)
that is delivered to the ear.

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 Example 4
Suppose p = 2 x 10-1 N/m2. What is
the decibel level?

dB = 20 log [ (2x10-1) / (2x10-5) ]

= 10 log [ 104 ]
= 80 dB

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 CONTINUE

If the sound pressure is double, what

is the new dB value?
dB = 20 log [ (2x2x10-1) / (2x10-5) ]
= 10 log [ 2x104 ]
= 86 dB
When we double the sound pressure, 6
dB is added.

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 Addition of Sound Level

If we add 2 or more sound pressure

levels together, we add the intensities
and convert back to dB.

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 Example 5
Two machines each have 90 dB sound
level. What is the resultant dB when
both machines are working together?
90 dB = 10 log (I90 / Iref)
9 dB = log (I90 / Iref)
109 = I90 / Iref

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 I90 = 109 x Iref machine 1
Also
I90 = 109 x Iref .machine 2

Adding, I = [I90 + I90]

= [ 2x109 x Iref ] watts/m2

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 dB = 10 log (I / Iref)
where
Iref = 10-12 watts/m2

dB = 10 log [(2x109 x Iref) / Iref]

= 10 log [(2x109]
= 93 dB

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 Averaging decibels
The average of a number of decibels
may be found from the following
equation:
LAV = 10 log [ (10L1/10 + 10L2/10 + .+
10Ln/10) / n ]

= 10 log [(10L1/10 + 10L2/10 + .+

10Ln/10)] - 10 log n

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where

n = number of different sounds

LAV = average of the decibels
L1 = first SPL in dB
L2 = second SPL in dB

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 Sound Power and Sound Intensity
The sound intensity from a point source of
sound radiating uniformly into free space can
be found from the power output and the
distance from the source, r.

Intensity, I = [(sound power W (watts)) / 4r2 ]

22
 Time varying noise
The level of many noises varies with
time, for eg. traffic sounds. It is not
easy to find a measure which can
accurately quantify with a single number
what is heard. Statistical measurement
are made in dB(A) because that
corresponds approximately to the
response of the ear.

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L10 = sound level in dB(A) which is
exceeded for 10% of the time.

L50 = sound level in dB(A) which is

exceeded for 50% of the time.

L90= sound level in dB(A) which is

exceeded for 90% of the time.

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Equivalent continuous noise level, Leq

Leq is the sound pressure level of a

steady sound that has, over a given
period, the same energy as the
fluctuating sound. It is an average
and is measured in dB(A).

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 Leq = 10 log {(t1 x 10L1/10 + t2 x 10L2/10 +
t3 x 10L3/10 + ..........+ tn x 10Ln/10) / T}

Where
t1 = time at L1 dB(A)
t2 = time at L2 dB(A)
t3 = time at L3 dB(A)
T = total time over which the
Leq is required.

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 Example 6
Calculate the Leq over an eight-hour
day for a worker exposed to the
following noise levels and duration.
dB(A) Time (hour)
94 3
89 2
98 0.5
83 2.5
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Leq = 10 log {(3 x 109.4 + 2 x 108.9 + 0.5 x
109.8 + 2.5 x 108.3) / 8}

= 92 dB(A)

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 Sound Power
Total sound power in watts is equal to
the intensity in watts / m2 multiplied
by the area in m2.

Since Intensity is directly proportional

to the square of the sound pressure,
so the sound power level (SWL) (or
Intensity level) is proportional to the
square of sound pressure level.
29
SWL = 10 log (actual Intensity / ref. Intensity)
= 10 log (Wactual / Wref)
where
Wactual is the sound power in
watts and Wref is the reference power
of 10-12 watts.

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 Example 7
Determine the sound power level of
0.001 watts.

SWL = 10 log (0.001 / 10-12)

= 10 log (10-3) + 120
= 90 dB re 10-12 W

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If the sound is produced at ground
level, assuming that the ground is
perfectly reflecting, then the energy
is only radiated into a hemisphere
instead of a complete sphere.
Intensity becomes,

I = W / 2r2

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 Example 8
Calculate the intensity and SPL of a
sound at a distance of 10 m from a
uniformly radiating source of 1 watt
power.

Intensity, I = W / 4r2
= 1.0 / 4 (10)2
= 7.95 x 10-4 W/m2
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SPL = 10 log [(7.95 x 10-4) / 10-12]
= 10 log 7.95 x 108
= 89 dB

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Relation between Sound Power Level
(SWL), Sound Pressure Level (SPL)
and distance from source to receiver
r in a free field ie with no
reflections except the ground.

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SWL = 10 log (W / Wref) (1)
Wref = 10-12 Watts

SPL = 10 log (p / pref)2 (2)

pref = (2x10-5) N/m2

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Total power, W = [ p2 / c] x area of sphere
= [ p2 / c] x 4r2 (3)

Substitute (1) and (2) into (3),

SPL = SWL 20 log r 11 (for spherical
radiation)
SPL = SWL 20 log r 8 (for hemispherical
radiation)

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 Example 9
How many dBs is the result of
doubling the intensity?

SWL1 = 10 log ( I / Iref)

= 10 log ( I / 10-12)

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Double,

SWL2 = 10 log ( 2I / Iref)

= 10 log ( 2I / 10-12)

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Suppose, I = 1 watt/m2

SWL1 = 120 dB
SWL2 = 123 dB

ie: 3 dB increase.

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 When two sound sources radiate sound
energy, they both contribute to the sound
pressure level at distances away from the
sources.
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If they radiate the same amount of
energy, and a point equidistant from both
sources is considered, then the sound
intensity at that point will be twice as high
as when only one source is radiating.
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In the example here, if x is 50 dB the
total sound pressure level when both
sources are operating will be 53 dB.

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To use the curve proceed as follows:
1. Calculate the difference, L, between the two
sound pressure levels.
2. Use the curve to find L+.
3. Add L+ to the highest level to get Lt, the total
level.
44
In the example shown here L = 4 dB
whereby L+ is found to be 1.4 dB and Lt =
56.4 dB.
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Note that a difference of L = 0
corresponds to the situation shown in the
previous illustration where 3 dB was added
to the level caused by one source alone.
46
If the difference between the two sound
pressure levels is more than 10 dB the
contribution from the quietest source can
be discarded.
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 In some cases it is necessary to subtract noise
levels.
This could, for example, be the case where noise
measurements on a particular machine are carried out
in the presence of background noise.

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 It is then important to know if the
measured noise is due to the background
noise, the noise from the machine, or the
combined influence.
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 The procedure when performing the test is as follows:
1. Measure the combined effect of machine noise and
background noise, LS + N.
2. Switch off the machine and measure the background noise,
LN. In most cases it is possible to switch off the machine under
test, whereas the background noise normally cannot be switched
off.
3. Finally calculate the difference, L = LS + N - LN and use the
following simple curve to find the correct noise level caused by
the machine.
50
 If L is less than 3 dB, the background noise is
too high for an accurate measurement and the
correct noise level cannot be found until the
background noise has been reduced.
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 If on the other hand the difference is more than
10 dB, the background noise can be ignored.

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 If the difference is between 3 dB and 10 dB, the
correct noise level can be found by entering the
value of L on the horizontal axes and read the
correction value, L- off the vertical axes.
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 The correct noise level caused by the machine is
now found by subtracting L- from LS+N.

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dB Summation..

Other Method

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50 dBA + 50 dBA = 100 dBA ???

. WRONG !
50 dBA + 50 dBA = 53 dBA
. THATS RIGHT !

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 dB Summation

Cannot add up the numbers .as

the dBs are ratios.

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 dB Summation
Use of Charts
Use of Tables
Exact Calculations

Use of charts and tables are

convenient, and for quick rule of
thumb estimates.
Use of calculators for accurate
calculations.

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 By Calculations
dB1 = 10 log (Pressure1 / Ref pressure)2
dB2 = 10 log (Pressure2 / Ref pressure)2
10dB1/10 = (Pr1 / Ref pr)2
10dB2/10 = (Pr2 / Ref pr)2

(New Pr / Ref pr.)2 = (Pr1 / Ref pr)2 + (Pr2 / Ref pr)2

= 10dB1/10 + 10dB2/10
New dB = 10 log (New Pressure / Ref pressure)2
= 10 log (10dB1/10 + 10dB2/10 ).

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 By Calculations
Nett for 2 SPL = 10 log ( 10 dB1/10 + 10 dB2/10).

3 SPL = 10 log (10dB1/10 + 10dB2/10 + 10dB3/10).

n SPL = 10 log (10dB1/10 + 10dB2/10 + 10dB3/10

++ 10dBn/10).

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Use of Charts

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To use the curve proceed as follows:
1. Calculate the difference, L, between the two
sound pressure levels.
2. Use the curve to find L+.
3. Add L+ to the highest level to get Lt, the total
level.
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 Use of Charts
Example : 55 dBA + 49 dBA = ?
Difference between two levels 6
dBA
Add to highest level 1 dBA.

Nett = 55 + 1 = 56 dBA.

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 Addition of Two Sources
If the levels differ by The following should be
added to the higher
0 or 1 dB 3 dB

2 or 3 dB 2 dB

4 to 9 dB 1 dB

10 dB or over 0 dB

64
 Subtraction of Two Sources
If the levels differ by The difference is the
higher level minus
More than 10 dB 0 dB
6 to 9 dB 1 dB
5 to 4 dB 2 dB
3 dB 3 dB
2 dB 5 dB (approx)
1 dB 7 dB (approx)
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 Examples 10
1. 78 dB + 81 dB = ?
Difference between 2 levels = 81-78 = 3 dB
Value to be added to higher level = 2 dB
(From table / graph)
Resulting level = 2 + 81 = 83 dB

By calculations
Result = 10 log (10 7.8 + 10 8.1 ) = 82.8 dB

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 Examples 10..

2. 86 dB + 92 dB = ?
Difference between 2 levels = 92-86 = 6 dB
Value to be added to higher level = 1 dB
Resulting level = 1 + 92 = 93 dB

By calculations
Result = 10 log (10 86/10 + 10 92/10 )
= 10 log (10 8.6 + 10 9.2 )
= 93.0 dB

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 Examples 10..

3. Fan 85 dBA as measured at workers position.

Fan to be added at first fan location, 84 dBA.
Find new noise levels.
85 dBA + 84 dBA = ?
Difference between 2 levels = 85-84 = 1 dBA
Value to be added to higher level = 3 dBA
Resulting level = 3 + 85 = 88 dBA

By calculations
Result = 10 log (10 8.5 + 10 8.4 ) = 87.5 dBA

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 4. A manufacturers data sheet shows that
a compressor model A01 has an overall
sound power level of 100 dB(A) and model
A02 an overall sound power level of 92
dB(A). The measured noise level at a
workers position with both compressors
operating was 87 dB(A). The compressors
are located together. What is the likely
noise level at the workers position if model
A02 is shut off? Accuracy of
manufacturers data can be assumed.

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 Examples 10..
Model A01 = 100 dBA
Model A02 = 92 dBA
Noise at workers position = 87 dBA
What is the noise level with Model A02 off ?...

Difference between 2 levels = 100-92 = 8 dBA

Value to be subtracted from higher level = 1 dBA
Resulting level = 87-1 = 86 dBA

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 Practical Example..
Two noise sources operating simultaneously with total
SPL of 95 dBA.
With one noise source switched off , the remaining SPL
is 91 dBA.
What is the SPL of the noise source thats switched off ?
Original total SPL = 95 dBA
Difference in levels was 4 dBA, meaning that 2
dBA to be deducted from the higher original
level.
Resulting level = 95-2 = 93 dBA

Check Sum :
91 dBA + 93 dBA = 95 dBA

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 Octave Band Summation
Respective octave band values are summed up to
obtain the overall level.

Frequency 31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

(Hz)
SPL Linear
dB 73 63 50 48 46 40 35 30 22

Overall dB = 73 dB + 63 dB +50 dB + ...+ 22 dB

= 10 log( 10 7.3 +10 6.3 +10 5.0 +10 4.8 +10 4.6
+10 4.0+10 3.5+10 3.0+10 2.2 )
= 73 dB 72
 Octave Band Summation
If the individual octave bands SPL are in
linear, the overall summation result in the
overall Linear SPL.
If the individual octave bands SPL are in A-
weighted , the overall summation result in
the overall A-weighted SPL.
To convert linear SPL into A-weighted SPL
requires A-weighted adjustments in the
individual frequency bands according to the
A-weighted curve.

73
74
 A-weighted SPL Conversions
Consider a sound with linear octave band values
as tabulated below. Find the overall linear SPL and
overall A-weighted SPL.

Frequency 31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 Overall
Calculated

SPL Linear 73 63 50 48 45 40 36 30 22 73

A Correction -39 -26 -16 -9 -3 0 1 1 -1

SPL dBA 34 37 34 39 42 40 37 31 21 47

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 A-weighted Octave Band Summation
Respective octave band values after A-weighted
corrections are summed up to obtain the overall level.

Frequency 31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

(Hz)
SPL dBA 34 37 34 39 42 40 36 31 21

Overall dBA = 34 dBA+37 dBA+39 dBA+ .+

21 dBA
= 10 log( 10 3.4 +10 3.7 +10 3.4 +10 3.9 +10 4.2
+10 4.0+10 3.6+10 3.1+10 2.1 )
= 47 dBA 76
Table: Noise Exposure of Continuous Noise
Levels

Noise Level dB(A) Hours Dosage (%)

85 50 (Action limit)
90 8hr 100 (Max. allowable
limit)
95 4hr 200
100 2hr 400
105 1hr 800
110 30min 1600
115 15min 3200

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78
79
 PEL Permissible Exposure Level
HCA- Hearing Conservation Act

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