Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MS)

College, School or Department Name

Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

Advisor

Gregory M. Odegard

Co-Advisor

Charles D. Van Karsen

Abstract

The project objective is the study of acoustic boom phenomenon at 40 Hz in Chevrolet Cruze LTZ and recommend modeling techniques to improve accuracy of model prediction. Acoustic boom is caused by solid-fluid interaction between car structure and air inside the car cavity.

In this report, finite element analysis software Abaqus 6.12-3 is used to simulate the acoustic-structural coupling. The structural and acoustic mesh for the Chevrolet Cruze LTZ are fully coupled and solved using Abaqus ‘strongly coupled’ solution. In order to understand the physics of acoustic boom in a car simple car box models were designed. Simple box car models were useful to find the effect of door cavities, rear seats and speaker openings on door cavities and rear package shelf on the acoustic boom phenomenon. Also, pick-up truck was modeled and acoustic response at driver’s right ear was evaluated for a structural input on truck bed.

Finally, Abaqus results for the Chevrolet Cruze LTZ were compared to the Optistruct test results and specific method of modelling acoustic mesh was recommended. Also, analysis of simple car models led to significant insight into the physics of vibro-acoustic coupling and the effect of specific components on the acoustic response at the driver right ear.

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