PREDICTION OF LOW FREQUENCY SOUND PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION INSIDE A VEHICLE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM ITS STRUCTURAL DYNAMIC RESPONSE.

This paper describes a study of the mechanism of noise generation by vibrating structures. A theory is developed from the 'simple-source' theory for the propagation of sound from a vibrating structure, provided that the vibration profile of the structure is known in detail. Experimental computer-based control and analysis techniques have been developed on an on-line basis to apply the theory developed to vehicle body structures. Some results from a simple box structure and a small sports saloon car structure are presented to illustrate the techniques and demonstrate the level of accuracy achieved by comparing experimental and theoretical results.