Optimizing the acoustic materials in vehicle components using SEA and global sensitivity analysis

This paper focuses on predicting the acoustical performance of vehicles through the statistical energy analysis (SEA) and figuring out, using the sensitivity analysis, which components more affect this performance. A wide variety of acoustical materials are used in many vehicle components to reduce interior noise. The acoustical materials affect not only acoustical performance, but also the weight and fuel efficiency of the vehicles. Therefore, the acoustical performance in limited acoustical materials should be optimized. To this end, in this study, we developed In-house S/W based on the SEA in order to predict the weight, sound transmission loss (STL), and sound pressure level (SPL) of the interior with changing the types, density, thickness, and coverage of acoustical materials. The results of the S/W were then compared with measured values and the other predicted values from VA one, commercial software based on the SEA. Furthermore, the global sensitivity analysis (GSA) was performed to identify the contribution for STL of components on SPL of the interior. The results of the GSA provide a quantitative assessment of the STL of the component on the SPL of the interior. Therefore, the acoustical materials can be optimized using that results at the automobile development period.