NUMERICAL MODELLING IN ACOUSTICS, DYNAMICS AND VIBROACOUSTICS

 Acoustics
NUMERICAL MODELLING IN ACOUSTICS, DYNAMICS
AND VIBROACOUSTICS
M G Smith ISVR Consulting. University of Southampton. University Road. SO17 1BJ. UK
1 INTRODUCTION
For many design problems in acoustics and dynamics 3 great deal can be achieved using relatively
simple prediction methods based on well-established analytical. empirical or semi-empirical models
and standards. lnevitably there are some problems that require the application of more
sophisticated methods. either because of the unusual nature of the problem. or because of
particularly demanding performance targets.
A wide range of software packages to predict complex problems using numerical modelling
methods such as Finite Element Analysis. Boundary Element Analysis, Statistical Energy Analysis
and ray acoustics are now readily available. and this paper illustrates the application of these
methods to a range of engineering problems. The overall aim of the paper is to highlight how the
choice of numerical method is dependent on the frequency range, physical domain and size of the
system to be modelled. and how it is important to capture the physics of the problem whilst
constraining the complexity of the model