Passive and active interior noise control of box structures using the structural intensity method

This paper presents passive and active vibro-acoustic noise control methods for attenuating the interior noise level in box structures which can be an analogy of cabins of vehicle and aircraft. The structural intensity (SI) approach is adopted to identify the predominant vibration panels and interior noise sources for box structures. In the study, the finite element method is used to determine the structural vibration and structural intensity in the box surfaces. According to structural intensity vectors plot and structural intensity stream lines presentation, the possible effective control positions where the dampers may be attached and the active control forces may act to reduce vibration and interior noise, are identified. From the study, it can be demonstrated that the structural intensity approach and stream line presentation are possible methods for identifying the vibro-acoustic interior noise source and predominant panels which may be modified to reduce the interior noise level. The structural intensity methodology, passive and active noise control results can be extended to the further study of the vibration and interior noise control of actual cabins of vehicles and aircraft.