Status and noise reduction analysis of robotics lab in an academic institute by using acoustic materials

Abstract

In recent decades, noise has emerged as one of the most annoying and tiring factors in working environments, be it in factory, workshop, academic or research setup. This paper presents the noise status and noise reduction analysis of Robotics lab in an academic institute. The average equivalent continuous noise level ( $L_{Aeq}$ ) inside the Robotics lab (64.90–75.99 dB) was within or close to permissible limits of 75 dB as per Indian standards for industrial environment; but the operation of Mig and Spot welding were a source of noise nuisance to the adjoining academic area due to the sound transmission from the Robotics lab. The noise reduction analysis in the study demonstrated the usage of acoustics (glass, curtain, cardboard and thermocol) in windows as sound barriers that dampens the transmission of indoor noise. The Sound Transmission Loss (STL) was observed to be highest in the range of 18.12–22.62 dB (28.88–29.59%) by using the combination of glass and curtain as acoustic barrier in windows of the Robotics lab; thereby, reducing noise nuisance significantly in the academic area. The study revealed the necessity of effective acoustic barrier in labs/workshops under-industrial conditions in academic institutes and proposed a model for predicting STL for the combination of glass and curtain from $L_{Aeq}$ value.