Noise and Vibration Simulation of Tracked Vehicles

Abstract

The noise and vibration effects generated during the operation of tracked vehicles play a significant role in their structural reliability and acoustic characteristics. Industry and academia are increasingly paying attention to coupled multiphysics simulation methods. These methods integrate mechanical, acoustic and dynamic modeling techniques, which can be used to accurately predict noise and vibration levels. Current research builds on the combination of multibody dynamics (MBD), finite element method (FEM) and boundary element method (BEM), allowing the simultaneous investigation of structural, contact and acoustic processes. This paper presents the state-of-the-art noise simulation approaches for tracked vehicles, which combine the latest results from industrial and academic developments. Based on the simulation results, it can be concluded that coupled multiphysics models are able to predict the expected structure-borne noise levels and their propagation characteristics. This can ensure the development of more effective noise reduction strategies already in the conceptual and design phase, thereby reducing development time and costs.