Abstract
A combined approach based on finite element method, boundary element method, and genetic algorithm (FEM-BEM-GA) is proposed for optimizing the low frequency sound (LFS) insulation performance of plate structures. This approach can identify the optimal structural parameters (especially concerning the effects of arbitrary boundary conditions) so as to maximize the structural overall LFS insulation. The basic ideas of this approach are as follows: (1) the sound transmission loss (TL) analysis of a plate with arbitrary boundary conditions is conducted by the coupled FEM-BEM method; (2) the single-number rating method (such as low frequency sound transmission class) is used to assess the plate’s overall LFS insulation; and (3) the genetic algorithm (GA) is employed for searching the optimal solutions of the multiple-parameter optimization problem. The proposed approach is subsequently illustrated by numerical studies. The results show the effectiveness of consideration of the effects of boundary condition in the plate’s LFS insulation optimization and demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of this approach as a structure design tool.
Highlights
There are numerous types of noise around buildings that seriously influence people's living quality [1]
The plate’s sound insulation is highly dependent on the plate’s actual boundary condition, according to the authors’ best knowledge, no optimization technique is yet available for maximizing the sound insulation of plate structures by considering the effects of arbitrary boundary conditions
A finite element method, boundary element method, and genetic algorithm (FEM-BEM-GA) combined optimization approach is developed for maximizing the low frequency sound (LFS) insulation of plate structures
Summary
There are numerous types of noise around buildings that seriously influence people's living quality [1]. Examples include the walls and windows of buildings, factory machinery casings, parts of vehicle shells, and the hulls and bulkheads of ships These structures often result in poor sound insulation, especially at low frequency [8]. The plate’s sound insulation (especially the LFS insulation) is highly dependent on the plate’s actual boundary condition, according to the authors’ best knowledge, no optimization technique is yet available for maximizing the sound insulation of plate structures by considering the effects of arbitrary boundary conditions. This kind of methods has many potential advantages because it only requires the modification of boundary supports and does not need to make any change to the main body of the structure
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