An energy finite element optimization process for reducing high-frequency vibration in large-scale structures

The energy finite element analysis (EFEA) offers an attractive alternative to the established statistical energy analysis (SEA) for simulating the vibration of large-scale structures. One of the main benefits of utilizing EFEA in a simulation-based design process is the capability to prescribe local damping properties on selected sections of the numerical model. Thus, it is possible to control the flow of power at certain locations of interest by modifying the damping distribution. In this paper an optimization process is presented. An EFEA solver is integrated with an optimization routine in order to optimize the distribution of damping over a large-scale structure. The formulation of the optimization process, the software implementation, and the validation of the developed optimization process are presented.