Structural-Acoustic Finite Element Analysis of the Automobile Passenger Compartment

The objective of this paper is to give illustrative solutions for the types of combined structural and acoustic problems which arise in the finite element analysis of the automobile passenger compartment and to review related methodology. Analysis implementation using the NASTRAN (NASA STRuctural ANalysis) computer program is discussed briefly, including the use of modal compartment wall models and forced boundary conditions. The model is a two dimensional one, assuming a uniform pressure field in the cross-body direction. This simplification appears to be adequate for the frequency range of interest (20 to 80 Hz).