Acoustics textbook and related videos

Download PDF book here.

Videos illustrating my textbook:

Acoustics
Essential concepts, theory and models of linear acoustics for engineers

are available from my YouTube channel. Videos that are not deemed of a satisfactory level (yet) or that contain backup material are followed by a [*] and are not available on YouTube but on my OneDrive.

Here is the table of content of the book and a link to the corresponding videos.

1. Introduction – No videos

2. Definition and scope of acoustics

  • 2.1 – Definitions – Video 0210
  • 2.2 – Fields of acoustics
    • Linear vs. non-linear acoustics, vibro-acoustics vs. aero-acoustics, sounds vs. infrasounds and ultrasounds – Video 0220
    • Various fields of acoustic research – Video 0220b[*]
  • 2.3 – Spectral range of sounds – Included in Video 0220
  • 2.4 – Relevance of acoustics – Videos 0240

3. Continuum mechanics – No videos

4. The wave equation

  • 4.1 – The wave equation – Video 0410
  • 4.2 – Linearity and non-linearity in acoustics – Included in Video 0220
  • 4.3 – General one-dimensional solution – Videos 0430 and 0430b
  • 4.4 – Mechanics of propagation – Video 0440
  • 4.5 – Dispersive and non-dispersive propagation – No video
  • 4.6 – Speed of sound – No video

5. Fourier analysis – No videos

6. Equations of acoustics in harmonic regime

  • 6.1 – Helmholtz’ equation – Video 0610
  • 6.2 – Pressure-velocity relationship – Included in video 0610
  • 6.3 – Acoustic impedance – Video 0630
  • 6.4 – Sound intensity – Video 0640
    • 6.4.1 – Monochromatic signal – Included in video 0640
    • 6.4.2 – General periodic signal – No video
    • 6.4.3 – General signal – Included in video 0640
      • The one-sided spectrum convention (section 5.3.2) and the corresponding expression for active intensity for a general signal – Video 0643
  • 6.5 – Plane waves – Video 0650
  • 6.6 – Spherical waves – Video 0660

7. Sound levels

  • 7.1 – The decibel scale – Video 0710
  • 7.2 – Adding levels – Video 0720
  • 7.3 – Band levels – Video 0730
  • 7.4 – Corrected and cumulative levels
    • Equal loudness contours and weighted levels (dBA, dBB, …) – Video 0741
    • Equivalent and cumulative levels – Video 0743

8. Reflection and absorption

  • 8.1 – Reflection under normal incidence – Video 0810
    • 8.1.3 – Absorption and reflection coefficients – Video 0822
  • 8.2 – Reflections under oblique incidence: Descartes’ law and image sources – Video 0820
    • 8.2.2 – Absorption and reflection coefficients – Video 0822
  • 8.3 – Reflection of a monopole source, reflectograms and the Ray Tracing Method (RTM) – Video 0830
  • 8.4 Notes on the concept of impedance – No video
  • 8.5 – Reverberation time and Sabine’s law – Video 0850
    • Here is a video proposing a visit of the acoustic test rooms of the University of Liège (anechoic room, reverberant room)

9. Resonance

  • A quick reminder of structural dynamics and vibrations (not in textbook)
  • 9.1 – Resonance of a closed tube
    • 9.1.1 – Velocity source – Video 0911
    • 9.1.2 – Pressure source
  • 9.2 – Eigenmodes and eigenfrequencies
  • 9.3 – Modal superposition – No video
  • 9.4 – Box shaped cavity
  • 9.5 – Cavities of arbitrary shapes
  • Comparison of resonances in an acoustic tube and an elastic rod (not in textbook) – Video 0904

10. Guided propagation

  • 10.1 – Critical frequencies (propagating vs. evanescent duct modes) – Video 1010
  • 10.2 – Transfer matrices
    • 10.2.1 – Duct with constant cross section – Video 1021
    • 10.2.2 – Section change and application to a system of three connected ducts – Included in video 1021
    • 10.2.3 – T-Connection – Video 1023
    • 10.2.4 – Quarter-wavelength resonator – Included in video 1023
    • 10.2.5 – Helmholtz resonator – Included in video 1023
    • 10.2.6 – Alternative definitions of transfer matrices – See video 1030
  • 10.3 – Transmission loss – Video 1030
  • 10.4 – Insertion loss – Included in video 1030
  • 10.5 – Circular ducts – No video
  • 10.6 – Role of evanescent modes – No video
  • 10.7 – Reactive and dissipative silencers – Included in video 1030

11. Sound radiation – In preparation

12. Diffraction – In preparation

13. Refraction – In preparation

14. Propagation in dissipative media – No video

15. Convected sound propagation – No video

16. Atmospheric sound propagation – No video

17. Coupled vibro-acoustics

  • 17.1 – One-dimensional models – Video 1710
  • 17.2 – Matrix theory of fluid structure interaction – Video 1720

18. Transmission and insulation – In preparation