Development of Condensed SEA Models of Passenger Vehicles

Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) models of passenger vehicles may involve 400-500 subsystems to characterize the vehicle structure and sound package. Full sized models are often difficult to describe and some results may be awkward to present. A more intuitively comprehensible model size would involve 30-50 subsystems, which is typical of an experimental SEA approach. A methodology is described for processing full SEA model results in condensed form including major structural components and acoustic spaces. The approach is based on the experimental SEA methodology in which power injection and response predictions are carried out for 30-50 condensed subsystems. Full matrix inversion and weak coupling assumptions were investigated. Differences between condensed and full SEA model predictions are observed when the subsystem connectivity is limited.