This project provides equipment to support research projects related to problems of noise and vibration control. The equipment comprises a GenRad 2515 Computer-Aided Test System and related testing analysis software. Its capabilities include modal analysis, signal analysis, acoustic intensity measurements, and rotating machinery testing. Two current projects will utilize the equipment. The first is entitled Measurement Based Models for Acoustic Response. The project is directed towards the control of noise in machines, transportation vehicles, and the workspace. It requires experimental multi channel signal processing and analysis to facilitate the accurate analytical modeling of a sound field and its sources. The procedure decomposes the sound field into its propagating energy bearing portion and the standing wave reactive portion. The second project is entitled Structural Acoustic Modal Analysis. Its focus will be the vibration of structures and machines, and their acoustic radiation. An experimental modal analysis is conducted to obtain a mechanical system's modal properties, natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping characteristics. Furthermore, the surface acoustic intensity field is also measured with the equipment. These measurements are used to define the dynamic response and the sound radiation resulting from each mode of the structural response. Structural modifications using optimization techniques are applied to the model to predict new structural and acoustic responses and to assist in the structure/acoustics design process.
