Numerical Vibro-Acoustic Analysis of a Ship Compartment Structure

This paper investigates the vibro-acoustic problems of an elastic compartment structure (wheel house) belonging to a ship, coupled to the enclosed air. The excitations from the structural walls of the room by the sound source cause vibrations throughout the system and noise within the acoustic domain. Due to the coupling between the structural vibrations and acoustic pressure field, these systems are typically referred to as vibro-acoustic systems. The acoustic excitations and vibrations on the structural walls of a ship structure, however, are significantly larger and have a much more significant effect to the structural integrity of the ship. In order to determine whether coupled responses are needed, three frequency analyses have been performed: calculus of the first 5 natural frequencies of the fluid separately, the structure separately, and the fluid-structure coupled system. The wall thickness of the room walls is of 5 mm and made of layered composite. The stress analysis of the model at a highly participating structural mode is performed.