Mechanical mobility methods for ranking structural transmission path strengths

Abstract

This paper examines the utility of mechanical mobility methods for ranking the vibration transmission path strengths in complex fluid-structure radiation problems. Such path-strength determinations are an important factor for selecting appropriate noise control measures and in minimizing the economic impact of corrective action. Emphasis is placed on the direct equivalent force-moment method which is based on the identification of multiple source inputs (i.e., level, location, and degree of freedom), and the characterization of radiating surfaces (i.e., level, location, degree of freedom, type, and coherence with other outputs). This method is shown to serve as a means of experimentally verifying finite element models and as an aid in modeling source-forcing functions.