Preliminary attempts to isolate ground-radiated noise from exploding balloons

Abstract

Seismo-acoustic coupling occurs when seismic wave propagation creates air-borne acoustic signals. Research is ongoing to determine methods to distinguish between sound due to seismo-acoustic coupling and purely air-borne transmission. In a field experiment, we detonated 17 in. balloons filled with a stoichiometric oxy-acetylene mix placed both on and in the ground. We attempted to isolate ground-radiated waves by constructing a portable soundproof box to deaden air-borne sound wave. The box was constructed from mass-loaded vinyl, soundproofing composite board, liquid nails, and Green Glue. This design incorporated soundproofing through decoupling, absorption, and insulation techniques. Signals observed from a microphone placed in the box are compared with those obtained on microphones outside the box at various heights. The initial blast wave was not evident inside the box. However, the loudest sound measured in the box matches a subsequent portion of signals on microphones near the ground. Testing in a reverberation chamber is done to measure the frequency response in the transmission loss through the box. These results could suggest a viable technique for isolating ground-borne acoustic waves, which could be useful in experiments where calculating the coupling effect is impractical.