SOUND JUDGEMENT NOW POSSIBLE IN VEHICLE ACOUSTIC DESIGN

A short-history is given and the present efforts are described of General Motors' research in vehicle interior design to bring acoustic analysis into the early slopes of vehicle design. A decade ago GMR (General Motors Research) developed acoustic finite element modeling which identified potential "boom" noise problems. Three years ago, a structural system model was developed to help identify the the specific noise sources which caused the "boom." The latter model could provide vibration response of body surfaces during actual vehicle operating condition. The structural model yoked to the acoustic model is effective in the gross noise-making low frequency range which accounts for the vast mojority of problems encountered in basic structural design. It is thus a fundamental tool for design engineers. The model's first application was in the design phase of GM's new-sized van, the 1985 Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari. This has demonstrated that boom noise problems can be virtually eliminated from new vehicle designs and the overall low frequency noise level reduced. This has led to researchers formalizing a computer-aided procedure for structural-acoustic design which will make structural acoustic design far easier for the engineer with little or no background in acoustics.

• Corporate Authors:

  General Motors Corporation

  Research and Development Center, 30500 Mound Road
  Warren, MI  United States  48090
• Publication Date: 1984-11

Media Info

• Features: Photos; References;
• Pagination: 4 p.
• Serial:
  • SEARCH
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue Number: 3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustics; Computer aided design; Failure; Finite element method; Mathematical models; Noise control; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Interior; Models
• Old TRIS Terms: Failure lines
• Subject Areas: Design; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00450124
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-038 367
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 30 1985 12:00AM