Simplified modelling of vehicle interior noise: comparison of analytical, numerical and experimental approaches

The present paper describes the results of the investigation of low and medium frequency vehicle interior noise carried out using simplified structural-acoustic models. Analytical, finite element (FE) and experimental studies are presented and compared. In particular, the analytical approach is based on the formula representing the interior acoustic pressure in terms of structural and acoustic normal modes. This procedure does not take into account the effect of the enclosed air on structural vibrations. The FE analysis considers structural vibration modes, interior acoustic modes, full structural-acoustic interaction and the resulting structure-borne noise. The above-mentioned analytical and numerical results are compared with each other, and both of them are compared with the experimental results obtained for the simplified reduced-scale vehicle model “QUASICAR” developed in Loughborough University. The comparisons demonstrate some specific features of the analytical and numerical approaches and outline the acceptable limits of simplification in modelling vehicle interior noise. Although this study is concerned with structure-borne vehicle interior noise, its results and conclusions could be of interest for a wider range of engineering problems, such as building acoustics and dynamics of thin shell structures.