Transient acoustic predictions using an equivalent source technique coupled to a nonlinear finite element solver

Recent demonstrations of a time-domain equivalent source technique have shown significant computational performance benefits, due primarily to the sparsity of the acoustic coupling coefficients in the linear system of equations. Another benefit of the time domain equivalent source technique is the ability to predict acoustic radiation from an underlying system that undergoes a nonlinear response due to, for example, large amplitude vibrations. A brief review of the equivalent source formulation is provided and details of coupling the acoustic solver with a non-linear structural dynamic solver are discussed. The ability of the solver to scale for very large problem sizes is described. Simulation results from a simple system undergoing a nonlinear vibration response are compared to results from the same system modeled using a linear response to show the importance of such an approach. Overall solution times are compared with and without the acoustic solver components added to the structural dynamics solution.