Vibro-acoustics

Research in the area of vibro-acoustics covers all possible cases of noise resulting from and/or amplified by vibrations of a flexible structure. The applications range from electronic devices to aircrafts.

The first project in this area is primarily concerned with reducing the interior noise in an automotive compartment. Reduction of the noise and vibration in a vehicle is a major requirement for achieving world-class vehicle quality, performance and customer satisfaction. In addition, noise pollution is a serious environmental and health issue.

Despite the continuous effort by vehicle manufacturers to resolve many of the Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) issues, there are still problems and low rate of certainty in computer aided predictions, thus increasing the need of expensive physical prototypes.




Finite element model of a passenger compartment: Acoustic-structure resonance  This research aims to investigate unused so far methods for vibration and noise reduction, focusing on structure-born noise.

The main idea is to devise a programme for simple, yet effective internal design modifications, which will improve NVH with minimal negative impact on other vehicle attributes, such as structure, aerodynamic parameters, ride comfort, handling, etc.

This aim will be achieved by using a combination of experimental, deterministic and statistical energy analyses covering a broad frequency range.

A state-of-the art equipment will be used, such as LMS Test Lab (a product of LMS Engineering Innovations) and the most significant breakthrough in vibro-acoustics engineering in the last twenty years PAM-VA One (release of ESI Group).

Contact: Dr. Mariana Kruntcheva m.kruntcheva@coventry.ac.uk