Mechanical aging effects on acoustic damping, sound quality and preservation status in wooden string instruments coated with varnish

Xuanling Wan , Abhinav Kumar , Hanen Karamti

Abstract

Thermo-mechanical aging plays an important role in varnish on wooden string instruments for acoustic damping and the stability of the structure, which affects both the quality of sound and the life span of the instrument. In this paper, machine learning methods are proposed to predict a change in acoustic and structural properties with time due to the varnish aging under environmental conditions. We gather data on temperature, humidity, varnish composition, and acoustic performance parameters in order to build predictive models using techniques like neural networks, regression analysis, and reinforcement learning. These models predict changes in acoustic damping and structural integrity by indicating the patterns in the thermo-mechanical responses of varnished wood. Results obtained in this work have provided insight into the most favorable conditions of environment and varnish formula to minimize aging effects, besides furnishing instrument makers and restorers with guidelines based on data which help prolong tonal quality and structural durability. The study opens paths to further uses of machine learning as far as the prediction of aging effects is concerned, with big impacts on both musical and preservative fields.

Key Words

acoustic damping; machine learning; structural stability; thermo-mechanical effects; varnish aging; wooden string instruments

Address

Xuanling Wan — Historical Performance, Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, London, UK, SW7 2BS
Abhinav Kumar — Department of Nuclear and Renewable Energy, Ural Federal University Named after the First President of Russia Boris Yeltsin, Ekaterinburg 620002, Russia/ Centre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140401, Punjab, India/ Department of Mechanical Engineering and Renewable Energy, Technical Engineering College, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
Hanen Karamti — Department of Computer Sciences, College of Computer and Information Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia

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