Prediction of flow-induced noise in transport vehicles: development and validation of a coupled structural - Acoustic analytical framework

Abstract

In this study, a complete analytical model framework able to accurately predict the flow-induced noise in the interior of a transport vehicle cabin is presented. The mathematical model framework presented represents a coupled structural-acoustic system, consisted by a plate subjected to a random excitation or to flow-induced noise, and an acoustic enclosure representing the transport vehicle cabin. The coupled analytical model is developed using the contribution of both structural and acoustic natural modes. It is shown that the analytical framework can be used for the prediction of flow-induced noise for different types of transport vehicles, by changing some of the parameters, as shown by the good agreement between the analytical results and several experimental studies. The results indicate that the analytical model is sensitive to the measurement location, with the change in position significantly affecting the predicted interior noise levels, as should be expected. Different sizes for the acoustic enclosure, as well as different types of panels were investigated. This study demonstrates the importance of including the acoustic receiving room (i.e., the vehicle cabin) contribution in the analytical formulation, in order to accurately predict the noise transmission and interior noise levels.