On the Use of the Fast Multipole Method for Accurate Automotive Body Panel Acoustic Load Predictions

Knowledge of the external sound field around a car body is critical for vehicle acoustic development. Airborne isolation predictions, and thus panel and trim design depend on this data. Nowadays, such information is the result of experimental methods, as previously investigated simulation solutions proved either too costly, or not precise enough. In this paper, we investigate the use of a method combining computational efficiency and results accuracy: the Fast Multipole Method. This boundary-integral method uses an iterative solver and does not require a full assembly and factorization of the system matrix, thus allowing precise calculations over an extended frequency range even for large objects. In the present study, we demonstrate the potential of the method on a mid-range van, the Renault Scenic.