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Driving Yourself to Deaf: Comparing Sound Levels Produced by Hand-held T-Post Drivers

Booth Id:
PHYS017

Category:
Physics and Astronomy

Year:
2017

Finalist Names:
Dougherty, Ryan (School: Tishomingo County High School)

Abstract:
The use of a hand-held t-post driver to position posts for the fence is a practice which is frequently utilized, particularly in smaller scale farm and ranch operations. These hand-held devices are effective, inexpensive, and easy to carry to any location. However, using a hand-held t-post driver produces a loud, high-pitched sound that is very close to the operator’s head. This experiment compared the Sound Pressure Level (SPL) measurements for three types of hand-held t-post drivers. Data was analyzed to see if there are significant differences in the noise output between each of the types of t-post drivers tested. As determined by one-way ANOVA, there is a significant difference between the noise outputs in hand-held t-post drivers, with the spring-assisted driver (Driver #3) producing the highest mean SPL values for both insulated and non-insulated tests.