Design of a Set of Copper Gongs with Harmonic Sound Characteristics

• Main Authors: Shih-Pei Dung, 董時沛
• Other Authors: Bor-Tsuen Wang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/03258953885032917379

碩士 === 國立屏東科技大學 === 機械工程系所 === 100 === The copper gong is one of traditional instruments in Taiwan and Chinese societies. The gong is a circular plate type of structure, which percussion sound is monotonous, and categorized as the untuned percussion instrument. And, the percussion sound of common copper gongs is not in harmonics. This work aims to develop a set of copper gongs that can produce correct pitches for musical performance. The special design of copper gong can also produce overtone frequencies with harmonic effects. First, the music theory for the pitch of sound and overtone characteristics in harmonic number is discussed as well as the correlation of sound and vibration for the copper gong. The parametric geometry model of the gong is constructed and analyzed by the finite element analysis (FEA) software for optimum design. Both modal analysis and harmonic response analysis are conducted to characterize the harmonic effect of copper gong. The effects of different geometry parameters on the produced sound of copper gong are examined. The effective adjustment method by choosing the proper geometry parameters is studied to perform optimum design of the copper gong with harmonic sounds. The gong’s fundamental frequency must be carefully designed to meet the standard frequency for the pitch of a note. The higher natural frequencies should maintain integer ratios with respect to the fundamental frequency. A set of copper gongs with an octave pitch of notes is finally designed. Some creative products related to the special designed copper gongs are also presented and shown for possible commercial applications. The manufacturing for the special gongs is briefly discussed. The work combines the engineering analysis and music theory for the design of special copper gongs. The new era of development on traditional copper gong is investigated in this work and shown commercially potential.