MINIMIZING THE ACOUSTIC COUPLING OF FLUID LOADED PLATES USING TOPOLOGY OPTIMIZATION

Abstract

Optimization of the topology of a plate coupled with an acoustic cavity is investigated in an attempt to minimize the fluid-structure interactions at different structural frequencies. A mathematical model is developed to simulate such fluid-structure interactions based on the theory of finite elements. The model is integrated with a topology optimization approach which utilizes the Moving Asymptotes Method. The obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in simultaneously attenuating the structural vibration and the sound pressure inside the acoustic domain at several structural frequencies by proper redistribution of the plate material.

Prototypes of plates with optimized topologies are manufactured at tested to validate the developed theoretical model. The performance characteristics of plates optimized for different frequency ranges are determined and compared with the theoretical predictions of the developed mathematical model. A close agreement is observed between theory and experiments.

The presented topology optimization approach can be an invaluable tool in the design of a wide variety of critical structures which must operate quietly when subjected to fluid loading.