CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Sound is caused by fluctuation in air pressure. The fluctuation starts from the source of the
sound. It has been shown that excessive sound (noise) can have a lasting adverse effect on
health and lowers efficiency at work. The use of generators as an alternative source of
electric power supply is almost if not a norm, in the Nigerian society today and the growing
concern is to avoid the noise from these generating sets.

There is a considerable body of medical evidence that directly implicate ambient sound
levels exceeding 60-70 dB as 'pollution' which leads to significant health problems
including, but not limited to hypertension, depression, and most commonly, loss of hearing.
There has been considerable research and development of sound dampening technology to
reduce sound pollution. Many different technologies have evolved to address the problem.

The sound intensity method shows a good correlation with the conventional methods for
laboratory test procedures. Previous studies show that achieving sound reduction is mainly
by placing a noise absorbent close to the noise source and also in the case of an enclosure
to ensure tightness. Also, discontinuous construction of multiple panels will reduce sound
or noise. This study tends to develop noise-absorbing panels built of different acoustic
materials with the perforated effect which are assembled as an encasement for portable
gasoline generators mostly used in homes towards reducing the noise emanating from such
generating set.

Research and development in the field of building generator soundproof have as the
ultimate goal that houses should be built in such a way that they provide satisfactory
acoustical conditions for the people using the generator soundproof. The biggest problem
that building acoustics are facing is not the lack of good theoretical models, not efficient
measurement methods, or the complicated evaluation methods that are used to specify
requirements for soundproofing.

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Generators are loud rattling engines designed to do one's job well. soundproofing can
suppress unwanted indirect sound waves such as reflections that cause echoes and
resonances that cause reverberation of the generator. Soundproofing can suppress
unwanted indirect sound waves such as reflection that cause echoes and resonances that
cause reverberation.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Loud sounds, excessive noise, and vibration can cause hearing loss. Generators' engines,
which not only make a lot of noise but also vibrate, could damage your hearing. The louder
a sound is, and the longer you listen to it, the more harmful it acknowledgments emit
particulate matter containing burnt hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen, which add to air
pollution. If the generator is not in good condition, it can also emit unburnt hydrocarbons
which are even worst for the environment apart from loud noise.

Modern generators do feature some emission control technology and run a lot cleaner than
older models. However, they still release a lot of particulate matter and other air pollutants
during operations. Operating a new, average portable petrol generator at an average load
of 1.8kw for one hour emits so much noise as driving an average passenger vehicle for
about 150 miles. Noise pollution has been rampant for ages and solutions have been
developed which bring in soundproofing to reduce at least 79.9% or 85% of the noise.

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Soundproofing is the process of making a room resistant to the passage of sound waves.
The purpose of soundproofing is to;

Block external noises from entering the room and keep internal noises from escaping the
room

It is used specifically to control and isolate sound, usually from an unwanted source like a
noisy highway or nearby industrial machinery.

Acoustic treatments, however, are more specialized and generally focused on one room

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Or space to enhance or redirect sound to where it is wanted.

Isolation is also known as soundproofing is used to stop sound from bothering other people
in the house or industry or others outside the room and the house/building.

Prevent excessive reverberation and loudness inside occupied spaces.

Acoustic insulation or soundproof materials is used to absorb vibration and sounds forming
a barrier of materials within the source of the noise and surrounding areas.

It helps to limit the source of the sound that travels from one place to another.

To block sound by adding mass and dense materials between the source of the sound and
receiving point to offer additional bulk that the sound wave will have to pass through and
in doing so will reduce its energy.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Generator soundproofing is very important to reduce noise pollution. The quiet home or
area atmosphere is directly proportional to the fewer level of stress. There is overall body
relaxation, better communication within the environment, and improved relationships.it
also helps to better our immune system as a higher stress level could potentially affect it.
Generator-soundproofing is used specifically to control and isolate sounds, to keep in noise
for better sound quality, higher productivity, professional appearance, and increased
revenue.

1.5 SCOPE OF STUDY

Generator-soundproofing is a quarterly peer-reviewed journal concerned with sound-proof

in the built environment. The goal of the journal is to be the main publishing option for
authors writing on generator-soundproofing and related topics, as well as a forum to
integrate the relevant research community of the field. Potential readers are scientists,
consultants, engineers, architects, builders, and representatives of public bodies carrying
out research and development in the field of sound-proofing aspects of buildings.

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There is an emphasis on the application of new knowledge and the provision of information
useful to the practitioner.

Interdisciplinary studies, correlating the acoustical aspects of buildings with their thermal
or lighting performance, are also welcome. The contents include contributions on generator
sound-proof, sound absorption and sound insulation in buildings, sound-proof materials,
and vibration in buildings, according to the following topics:

 Sound transmission in buildings: prediction, measurement, and control;

 Airborne sound insulation in buildings;
 The structure has borne and impact sound in buildings;
 Measurement methods in building and room acoustics;
 Computational techniques in building acoustics;
 Façade sound insulation;
 Acoustics in lightweight buildings;
 Vibro-acoustics and vibrations in buildings;
 Ground-borne vibration and sound into buildings;
 Acoustic materials: insulating materials, damping materials, porous materials,
perforated materials;
 Innovative acoustic materials: sustainable and green materials, metamaterials, and
sonic crystals;
 Acoustical design in architecture;
 Room acoustics and evaluation of the acoustical quality of generators;
 Computational techniques in generator soundproof;
 Perception of naturalized spaces;
 The acoustics of educational facilities/classroom acoustics;
 Hall and auditorium soundproof;
 Acoustics in open-plan offices;
 Speech and communication in buildings;

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 Soundscapes of buildings and built environment;
 Acoustic regulations and classification for new, existing, and retrofitted generators.

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 CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

Generators that are widely used for small-scale use such as in homes, shops, and offices
are usually single-phase and remain mostly used for powering light gadgets like lights,
television sets, computers, refrigerators, and other small appliances. Machine operations
involved in the generation of forces and motions which produce vibrations and cause some
machinery imbalance resulting in fluctuating forces in gear meshes and cams due to small
variations in machining, electromagnetic forces in rotating machinery, combustion
pressures, and fluctuating forces which are due to air and liquid flows.

A variety of methods are available for noise reduction but they can be grouped as follows:
passive and active mediums. Active mediums differ from passive mediums in that it is
necessary to apply external energy in the noise-reducing process.

The absorbing materials, as such, are passive mediums that lower noise by disseminating
energy and turning it into heat. Sound absorption depends on the frequency of the sound
waves. In porous materials at high frequencies, an adiabatic process takes place that
produces heat loss due to friction when the sound wave crosses the irregular pores. On the
other hand, at low frequencies, materials absorb sound by energy loss caused by heat
exchange. This is an isothermal process. In general, soundproof efficiency is limited to
high frequencies.

The absorption phenomenon differs from that of insulation or shock absorption. This
process causes a vibrating movement to diminish in size with time. The origin can vary:
due to friction between two surfaces, as a result of internal friction or hysteresis of the
material itself, etc.

Other passive mediums exist, such as resonators that reduce noise by transforming it into
the vibration of the resonator itself. A noise resonator is nothing more than a system that

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begins to vibrate due to variations in sound pressure; the resonator begins to vibrate and
produces losses in the form of heat.

Resonators can be modeled as a forced and damped system with one degree of freedom,
with an equivalent excitation strength, equivalent mass element, equivalent spring element,
and equivalent damping element.

The equivalent strength is produced by the variations in sound pressure and the mass,
spring, and damping elements depend on the resonator to be modeled: the type of resonator,
its dimensions, materials, etc. The mass consists of everything subject to movement and
the spring to all that provides stiffness. The damping consists of everything that causes
energy loss in the moving system and sound reduction

There are also solutions consisting of actuators integrated into absorbing plates that are
capable of producing vibrations that counter the original vibration.

On the other hand, for inactive noise control, it is necessary to have a noise or vibration
meter based on various sensors to act on the system via adequate actuators to cancel the
noise or vibrations. This is why it is also necessary to have a form control to close the
reader-control-actuator loop. Therefore, the various control algorithms will play a major
role in active noise control. It is known that passive mediums act correctly at high
frequencies while noise reduction in low-frequency ranges requires the introduction of
active noise control techniques.

2.1 SUMMARY OF REVIEW

Fabrication of generator soundproof is to build a soundproof cover of 2.5 by 3.5mm to reduce the
sound caused by noise to the maximum frequency of 79.9% to 80%. This work has to be fabricated
with the use of generator soundproof materials to reduce noise in the organization and
environment. The generator is a 12kv machinery that has a high-frequency sound and disturbance.

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 CHAPTER THREE
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHOD
Materials Used in the Construction of a Soundproof Generator are;

 Mild steel pipe

 Mild steel sheet
 Fiberglass
 Rivet
 Red Oxide
 Navy blue paint

Tools Used for Soundproof Generator

 Hacksaw
 Measuring tape
 Scriber
 Glove
 Tri-square
 Face shield
 Chipping hammer
 Electrode

3.1 MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

S/N PARTS MATERIAL REASON FOR SELECTION

1 Handle Mild steel pipe Good machinability, low cost,

availability, good weldability

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 2 Frame Mild steel sheet Good machinability, low cost,

availability, good weldability, good

corrosion resistance

3 Side frame Mild steel sheet Good machinability, low cost,

availability, good weldability, good

corrosion resistance

4 Inner cover Fiber glass Sound absorption, low cost, noise

resistance

5 Paints Red oxide Smooth surface to avoid rusting

3.2 MATERIAL SELECTION

A major factor to be considered before fabricating any piece of the job is the choice of the materials
that will be suitable for its workability, durability, and reliability. To this end, it was vital for us to
carefully choose the materials that will be used to fabricate the generator soundproof.

3.3 FABRICATION PROCESS

Before beginning the construction, we considered the material and design. We measured the
dimension of the generator as 2.5 by 3.5 to determine the available space, and then determine the
dimensions of each side

of the generator, which construction method and types of metals are suited to the situation. After
this, the following steps were taken;

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3.3.1 Metal Cutting

We used a hacksaw or metal saw to cut the metal bars to the desired length, 2.5 by 3.5 checking
every measurement before cutting, and laying out the pieces on a flat surface to ensure they fit and
match the design specification

3.3.2 Bending

Bending also known as flexure characterizes the behavior of a slender structural element subjected
to an external load applied perpendicularly to an axis of the element. The structural element is
assumed to be such that at least one of its dimensions is a small fraction, typically 1/10 or less, of
the other two.

3.3.3 Welding

Welding here involves the joining of two metal parts using localized heating of them of contact to
a state of fusion to form a permanent joint. We used an electric arc welding machine to weld each
corner of the generator frame and the top and bottom of each pipe and plate. An electric arc is
formed at the tip of the welding rod when a current pass across an air gap and continues through
the grounded metal which is being welded.

Here the following steps were taken

1. The metal piece was properly cleaned

2. The pipe was adjusted to the proper value
3. The workpiece was the layout and connected with an earth pump
4. The arc was a strike in the correct positions
5. A proper run of the welding was taken
6. The weld was cleaned

3.3.4 Riveting

The mechanical plate was fastened through the rivet which consists of a smooth, cylindrical shaft
ahead. Upon installation, the head of the shaft expands, creating a "shop head" and fastening the
plate in place.

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3.3.5 Painting

After the whole fabrication process, the entire soundproofed frame was painted with navy blue
oil paint using a paintbrush. It was done for two reasons;

 To prevent corrosion of the plate

 To give the frame a beautiful look

3.4. BILL OF QUANTITY

S/N MATERIALS QUANTITY AMOUNT

1 Mild steel pipe 4 Pipes N44,000

(Inch & half)
2 Mild steel sheet 4 Sheets N80,000
(1.2 mm)
3 Fiber glass 10 Bags N30,000

4 Rivet 1 Pack N6,000

5 Red Oxide 2 Containers N30,000

6 Navy Blue Paint 1 Container N10,000

TOTAL COST N200,000

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 CHAPTER 4
TESTING AND DISCUSSION
4.1 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The principle of operation of the fabricated metal is based on the principle of the moment
and it uses the moment in its operation. The principle of moment states that for a body to
be maintained in equilibrium (static or dynamic equilibrium) the sum of the moment of all
the forces taken about a point must be equal to zero. It equally states that the algebraic sum
of all the forces acting on the body must be zero.

Now, this soundproof can be considered as being made up of a frame that involves pipe,
plate, and fiberglass or foam.

4.2 TESTING
The entire soundproof frame was tested using the visual test method by inspecting the
frames, and all the structural members for rigidity and workability. This was done by
repeatedly putting on the generator and covering it with the soundproof frame to check for
sound reduction, reliability of the pipes and to ensure that the frames were not deformed
and also to ensure that all the members are properly aligned and no mechanical defects
exist in any part of the frame

4.3 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE

All parts of the metal frame providing mechanical resistance and the sound reduction are
subject to normal wear and rust hence regular inspection and maintenance should be
provided to safeguard the metal frame from disengagement and misalignment

Routine inspection and maintenance work such as cleaning the dirt and obstacles from the
structure and periodic painting should be carried out

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4.4 DISCUSSION
The most difficult portion was physically building the soundproof frame. This was due to
the time crunch that the project was under and the challenging design of the prototype
frame. The final design was modified as fabrication occurred when a certain problem
surfaced, such as difficult or impossible assembly. When these problems were encountered,
a solution was quickly developed while in the workshop, and then the solid work model
was updated with the solution.

Upon final assembly, there were some minor clearance and gap issues between the pipe
and plate due to a fit-up error. These issues were addressed by running a tack weld pass,
grinding the weld down, and running a final weld pass over the top. It was also found that
during assembly the original welding (oxy-acetylene welding) process would not be so
effective. Hence electric arc welding process was used throughout and remains the most
effective means of metal joining process.

4.5 RESULTS
The sound pressure level of the sound emanating from the generator is measured with the
sound meter, at various radial distances from the generator. A second test is performed
with the enclosure placed in the room and the 950watts portable generator operated within
it. The generator is operated at 220 voltage output to power total wattage of 650 watts.

The sound intensity measurement technique could be employed to determine the

transmission loss of the soundproof enclosure as discussed for panels. An experimental
procedure could be established, the technique validated and subsequently exploited to
determine transmitted intensity contours for two sizes of the panel, as well as to examine
the influence of a deliberately introduced construction fault.

Soundproofing increases drastically at the different distances with the highest percentage reduction
of the radiating sound obtained. The enclosure shows a deep of 0.6 m which is the critical
frequency level of the sound. The behavior indicates that increasing the mass of the panels could
aid the soundproofing efficiency. However, it is suggested that multilayer panels be used with a

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mixture of different materials to obtain soundproofing improvements greater than those achieved
by improving the wall mass.

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 CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 CONCLUSION
This project reports a system for reducing sound radiated from a portable generator mostly used in
homes using noise absorber panels in which the measurement is 3 ½ feet by 2 ½ feet. The panels
were fabricated from mild steel, fiberglass, and perforated foam aligned to form the sides of an
enclosure in which the generator could be placed while operating. The performance of the
enclosure is evaluated by the reverberation room method. The enclosure is found to drastically
reduce the radiating noise from the generator by an average of 76.40%. The combined material of
absorber and fiberglass thus satisfies the concept of the design using the welding process.

5.2 RECOMMENDATION
The following recommendations are made to further enhance future fabrication soundproof;

The generator soundproof should be built to incorporate an automatic operating system to save
the user of stress.

More research should be made to fabricate better generator soundproof.

The joint should be designed to be detachable.

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 5.3 GRATT CHART

FEBRUARY APRIL MAY

DECEMBER JANUARY 2022 MARCH 2022
2022 2022 2022
2021
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Diagnosis

Analysis

Research

Fabrication
Purchasing

Installation

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 REFERENCE
Lai, J.C.S. and M. Burgess, 1991. Application of the sound intensity technique to the
measurement of field sound transmission loss. J. Appl. Acoustics, 34(2): 77-87.

Mikolajczyk, H. and A. Cieslewicz, 1982. Auditory threshold and the degree of its
temporary and permanent shifts in the textile industry workers. Med. Pr., 33(1-3): 57-64.

Wöhle, W. and A. Elmallawany, 1975. Generalized model of the application of statistical

energy analysis for sound propagation in a complicated structure. J. Sound Vib., 40(2):
233-241.

Yang, H.S and D.J. Kim, 2003. Rice straw-wood particle composite for sound absorbing
wooden construction materials. J. Bioresource Technol., 86: 117-121.

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 AUTOCAD DRAWING

Fig 1. Fabrication Plan 1 Fig. 2. Fabrication Plan 2

Fig. 3. Fabrication Plan 3 Fig. 4. Fabrication Plan 4

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 PICTORIAL VIEW OF GENERATOR SOUNDPROOF

Fig. 2. Fabrication 1 Fig. 2. Fabrication 2

Fig. 2. Fabrication 3 Fig. 2. Fabrication 4

Fig. 2. Fabrication 5 Fig. 2. Fabrication 6

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