A regression-based energy method for predicting structural vibration and interior noise

Abstract

A regression-based energy method is developed for predicting the structural vibration and interior noise for prescribed loads applied to a structural-acoustic enclosure subject to differences in the structural or acoustic design. The formulation is based on the energy transfer functions that relate the applied load energy to the structural or acoustic response energy. The energy transfer functions are determined from a statistical regression analysis of the measured or predicted multiple responses that result from the differences in the structural or acoustic design. The applied load energy is determined analytically or experimentally for prescribed loading conditions. The energy method can then be used to estimate the mean-value and variation of the structural or acoustic response for different structural or acoustic designs and various prescribed loading inputs. A simple tube-mass-spring-damper system terminated with absorption material with variation is presented as an example. The practical application of the method to estimate the interior noise in an automotive vehicle for road and aerodynamic loads at different speeds is then presented. Comparisons of the predicted versus measured mean-value and variation of the sound pressure response show reasonable agreement. The methodology is generally applicable for rapidly estimating the structural or acoustic response for different designs and various loading conditions.