Application of Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) to the Development of a Light Truck Sound Package

Abstract

This paper describes the application of Statistical Energy Analysis to the development of a light truck sound package. The development concerns addressed included airborne engine noise, tailpipe exhaust noise and rear road noise. SEA provided a framework to investigate different sound package configurations quickly and easily. SEA helped prioritize design alternatives to maximize benefit/cost ratio and to shorten development time. The project resulted in significant contributions to the development and optimization of the sound package and added value to the vehicle.

The first section describes the development and baseline validation of the SEA model. The model was checked and updated based on data gathered by "Engine Noise Simulator" (ENS) testing, and similar testing for tailpipe and underbody noise. Both microphone and acoustic intensity data were collected and compared to model performance. Once the model was baselined, it was used to develop sound package alternatives. For airborne engine noise, a model and physical Designed Experiment (DEX) was carried out to verify that the model accurately spanned the design space. The model results and hardware DEX gave similar trends. Design recommendations were made to the vehicle program and proved out in hardware. The model was also used to drive sound package design changes for airborne noise in the rear.