Dynamical energy analysis—An efficient mesh based simulation tool for mid-to-high frequency structure-borne sound calculations

Abstract

Modelling the vibro-acoustic response of mechanical built-up structures is a challenging task—especially in the mid to high frequency regime—even with the computing powers available today. Standard modelling tools such as Finite Element Methods (FEM) are not scalable to high frequencies due to the prohibitive increase in model size. Typical high frequency methods such as the Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) on the other hand, often lack details of the structure and require care in the setting up the model. In this talk, I will review the Dynamical Energy Analysis (DEA)—a method bridging the gap between the low and very high frequency range. DEA describes the energy flow in a complex structure keeping the directional information of energy propagation. It can be set up directly on meshed structures thus providing detailed spatial information about the vibrational energy of a built-up structure of high complexity. The response of coupling coefficients between sub-components are obtained through local wave models integrated into the global DEA treatment. The computational cost of DEA is frequency independent making it possible to get results from the mid-to-high frequency regime. The method can be extended to include sound radiation calculations in a post-processing step. The new method has been validated both using FEM computations and experiments in collaboration with Yanmar Co., Ltd., a Japanese tractor manufacturer. Further applications in the car, aerospace and ship building industry will be presented.Modelling the vibro-acoustic response of mechanical built-up structures is a challenging task—especially in the mid to high frequency regime—even with the computing powers available today. Standard modelling tools such as Finite Element Methods (FEM) are not scalable to high frequencies due to the prohibitive increase in model size. Typical high frequency methods such as the Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) on the other hand, often lack details of the structure and require care in the setting up the model. In this talk, I will review the Dynamical Energy Analysis (DEA)—a method bridging the gap between the low and very high frequency range. DEA describes the energy flow in a complex structure keeping the directional information of energy propagation. It can be set up directly on meshed structures thus providing detailed spatial information about the vibrational energy of a built-up structure of high complexity. The response of coupling coefficients between sub-components are obtained through local wave m...