Numerical methods for accurate auralisation and evaluation of the binaural human perception of broadband acoustic and vibro-acoustic phenomena.

The goal of the project was to develop and validate numerical methods that can be used to simulate acoustic and vibro-acoustic problems and of which results can be auralised in order to provide a realistic representation of the human perception of the noise and vibration sensations. In this context, the project has addressed the following major challenges: (1) The numerical techniques should be capable of addressing the whole audible frequency range, typically from the 63 Hz up to the 8 kHz octave band; (2) The presence of a flow in the acoustic domain can have a significant influence on the acoustic wave propagation. The techniques should therefore be capable of accounting for the possible presence of a (non-uniform) flow; (3) The numerical solution schemes should be as efficient as possible, while guaranteeing the stability of the numerical solution; (4) The impact of damping through trim insulation material treatment and of (small-scale) diffusers and scatterers on the acoustic wave propagation and on the human perception should be taken into account; (5) Different factors drive the human perception of noise and vibrations. The focus should be on just audible differences rather than physical accuracy. Moreover, the sonic context should be accounted for to add realism to the auralised foreground sound; (6) Dry recordings of studied sources as well as sound context should be gathered; (7) For the numerical strategies, a choice has to be made between time domain or frequency domain simulations.In view of validating the methodological innovations, we have been focusing on three typical application areas: (1) Environmental soundscaping, with particular focus on the impact of road and rail traffic noise in urban environments; (2) Interior vibro-acoustic comfort in vehicles (cars, trains); (3) Vehicle noise emission, with emphasis on the pass-by noise evaluation.

Keywords:Acoustic wave, Human perception of noise and vibration, Environmental soundscaping, Interior vibro-acoustic comfort, Noise emission, Acoustic and vibro-acoustic problems Num

Disciplines:Mechanics