Modal criteria for optimizing the acoustic behaviour of a coupled fluid-structure system based on a systemic approach

This paper proposes modal criteria to represent various noise sources within a complex structure, such as an automobile. By optimizing a complex system using criteria linked to modal mass and stiffness matrices, different modes of noise propagation can be investigated separately. Several criteria are thus suggested, each related to a vibrational propagation path. Since the system is studied using modal analysis, criteria can be found based on modes associated with the structure’s hollow parts, plates, and cavities. These different criteria are analysed based on the assumption of a complex vibroacoustic system. It is shown that by analysing such criteria, one can determine which part of the structure needs to be optimized. The optimization of such a system could constitute a research topic in its own right, and is beyond the scope of the present paper. Copyright q 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd