A vessel’s technical specifications help to align the owner’s desires with the builder’s requirements for design and construction. Cost, weight, complexity, and schedule are all sub-factors playing into this specification alignment, which is critical to creating a high-quality yet buildable project. J&A Enterprises can play a critical role when considering the sound and vibration aspects of the specification.

The prediction and analysis of noise and vibration, how it is excited, travels through the air and structures, and is eventually received, is typically the main focus of a J&A noise and vibration consultation. The output of these efforts is used to validate designs and vessel construction at various points along the project’s development, starting at preliminary design and continuing up through the start of commissioning.

During construction, the noise and vibration control treatments identified during the design phase are finally installed/implemented. Past experience has shown that small design modifications or installation errors that may seem insignificant to builders can have major negative consequence to the noise or vibration levels. J&A oversight, acting as noise and vibration consultants during the construction phase, mitigates this risk. Inspections, physical or virtual, as well as on-site testing and participation at status meetings are all part of this important task.

Noise and vibration testing  are often required for the purposes of demonstrating compliance (or noncompliance) with contract noise and vibration specifications. J&A Enterprises is a widely respected service supplier for such testing.      Standards that may apply include marine classification authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard and OSHA, along with various other international standards providers. J&A has a large stock of calibrated instrumentation, as required for such testing. Past projects range from individual components to full scale ship measurements.

J&A uses diagnostic testing as a tool of for addressing problematic noise or vibration issues. The ultimate objective of such testing is to evaluate noise and vibration disturbances and reduce their impact (comparisons can be made to class certification requirements, mechanical or structural limits, or other subjective evaluations).  The most effective treatment strategy is typically to correct the excitation source. However, because the ultimate goal is to reduce the excess at the point of the complaint, it is possible that treatments along the path connecting the source to the receiver or at the receiving location itself, (or a combination of the two) may be cost-effective, impactful means of correction.