SoundPLAN - Sound Propagation Modeling Software

SoundPLAN - designing a sound environment

SoundPLAN is an unique modeling and presentation tools, that allowed us to optimize noise control measures and to visualize the effects of noise propagation throughout plants, factories, theme parks or along road and railroad lines.

The software allows the user to visualize the noise situation through an extensive graphical user interface. It also provides:

• traceable propagation models [The propagation models included in SoundPLAN are based upon consistent sets of empirical data. These models allow for noise predictions within a certain level of accuracy. However, it should be noted that although the physics of sound propagation are always the same, the source and propagation parameters can change dramatically. The various models in SoundPLAN allow the user to modify these parameters to match the acoustic environment being analyzed.]
• versatile definition of the sources input [frequency spectrum, time schedule or idle pattern, directivity, mitigation factors, etc.]
• numerous control features for the verification of input geometry and source data.
• graphic tools for the visualization and presentation of the input and output data (i.e., Did the analysis consider this source, the road, this loudspeaker, this building, etc.?), the acoustical hot-spots (i.e., the nature of the problem), the conflicts (i.e. comparisons with governing regulations) and the benefits of various noise mitigation measures.
• noise control optimization features [Which is very important from a financial perspective, e.g., cost versus benefit ratios. For example, 5 dB reduction for a source may cost $30,000 or $60,000 but the overall benefit is insignificant unless other source are reduced in the same way].

SoundPLAN 7.0

SoundPLAN Version 7.0 incorporates various new features :

• Allows to input of float noise barriers and angled/curved noise barriers
• Attribute explorer that allows more indebt review of the input data
• Source library allows the review of spectral data in an linear and A-weighted form
• Completely new calculation kernel with improved search, reflection and shielding algorithms
• New dynamic search algorithm that increases accuracy and eliminates Moiré fringe patterns 
• New calculation parameter that includes a tolerance parameter to ensure the prediction detail on the noise sources that are most significant in contribution.
• Multi-threading and distributed computing capabilities to increase the data throughput on single computer system or within a network of computers
• Completely new Interior Noise Modeling algorithm that allows partial and floating noise barriers inside buildings
• Calculation from the inside of buildings to outside of a buildings got updated to consider the room acoustic response in more detail
• Cross sectional calculation inside buildings
• Updated export function to TNM v2.5 (TM)

• For road noise the Federal Highway Administration Traffic Noise Model (FHWA TNM ^TM) emission and propagation algorithms from version TNM 2.5 (TM) were implemented.   A new SoundPLAN calculation parameter allows the calculation strictly to the TNM v2.5 software.  (Note: With this setting the receiver to source distance is calculated based on the horizontal distance and not the 3D distance. No building reflection will be calculated.)
  
  Note: The Federal Highway Administration Traffic Noise Model (FHWA TNM ^TM) is protected by U.S. copyright laws. The noise prediction methodology used in SoundPLAN has been designed to be consistent with the FHWA TNM (^TM), however, SoundPLAN has not been tested, evaluated, or approved for use by any Agency of the U.S. Government.

SoundPLAN - Project Manager

The SoundPLAN Wins Manager is the switch board to eight sub-programs:

• Library (Source, material, assessment information)
• Geographical-Database (Geometry)
• Calculation Kernel (Definition of the computation, running the noise or air pollution prediction, Indoor Noise Prediction)
• Documentation (Results Tables)
• Spreadsheet (Generation of Comparison Tables)
• Expert System Industry Noise (Design cost effective noise mitigation)
• Wall Design (Design cost effective noise barrier - walls & berms)
• Graphics (Maps, Colored Noise Contours, 3D Noise Contour Graphic, 3D Topographic Map..)

System Requirements / Recommendation:

• Dual or Quad Core Pentium 2.2 GHz or faster
• Graphics adapters with a screen resolution of 1024 x 768, 256 colors or better and 256+ MB memory
• RAM 4 GB (1 MB minimum)
• Hard disk:50+GB
• Printer: laser or ink jet printer with 600+ dpi resolution
• Windows Operating 2000/ME/XP/NT/VISTA/Windows 7 

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Last modified: March 29, 2010