The fast prediction of sound radiation from typical submarine cabin based on acoustic transfer vector

The prediction of noise radiated by underwater structures is one of the most important research topics in the field of acoustics. This paper aims to set up an integrated approach for acoustic radiation analysis that could be used to assess and optimize the vibro-acoustic performance of pre-determined design targets, while identifying and quantifying the sound sources responsible for the behaviour. Such an approach, based on numerical procedures or experimental data, enables the fast prediction of sound radiation from a typical submarine cabin (a double cylindrical shell with superstructure). Vibro-acoustic prediction in the low- to mid-frequency range is generally performed through the boundary element method (BEM) or finite element method (FEM). In this paper, a combined usage of the two methodologies is adopted: FEM is used for the structural dynamics and BEM for the acoustic problem resolution. The acoustic field obtained by the FEM/BEM approach is adopted as the reference result. Meanwhile, acoustic transfer vector (ATV) technology is performed with the use of velocity distribution of the cabin. It is verified that the calculation results between the two methods are in substantial agreement, while the ATV method shows greater efficiency. Experimental research on the vibration of a scaled model is also performed. Comparing the experimental and numerical radiation results based on measured vibration data enables the accuracy level of the ATV forecast method to be assessed. From this, it is probable that the fast prediction of sound radiation by use of ATV is an effective approach for rapid evaluation of the vibro-acoustic response in the engine development process.