VALIDATION OF AN ACOUSTIC FINITE ELEMENT MODEL OF AN AUTOMOBILE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT

An acoustic finite-element model of an automobile passenger compartment that represents the more complicated vehicle interior acoustic characteristics is developed and experimentally assessed using loudspeaker excitation. The acoustic finite-element model represents the passenger compartment cavity, trunk compartment cavity, front and rear seats, parcel shelf, door volumes, and IP (Instrument Panel) volume. The model accounts for the coupling between the compartment cavity and trunk cavity through the rear seat and parcel shelf, and the coupling between the compartment cavity and the door and IP panel volumes. Modal analysis tests of a vehicle were conducted using loudspeaker excitation to identify the compartment cavity modes and sound pressure response at a large number of interior locations. Comparisons of the predicted versus measured mode frequencies, mode shapes, and sound pressure response at the occupant car locations are made to assess the accuracy of the model to 400 Hz.