An EFEM0-SEA Integrated Model of a Trimmed Van

High frequency responses of structural-acoustic systems may be predicted by statistical energy analysis (SEA) or energy finite element method (EFEM). To combine the good features of these two techniques, a simplified energy finite element method, referred to as EFEM⁰, has been developed recently. The EFEM⁰ technique, which is compatible with SEA, integrates the joint coupling procedures for discontinuous systems and the finite volume formulation for continuous system. The EFEM⁰ models have been verified either analytically or experimentally for one- and multi-dimensional systems.

In this study, the EFEM⁰ technique is applied to a passenger van for a noise control investigation. The general scheme is to incorporate the EFEM⁰ coupling factors into a SEA model in order to release some SEA assumptions and improve the SEA model, especially for relatively high damping, strong coupling and direct field cases. The EFEM⁰-SEA integrated model for the trimmed van is validated by experimental data. Several noise control strategies will be discussed for the integrated model to optimize the sound package.