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Simcenter

Acoustic simulation

Acoustic software to minimize noise and optimize sound through acoustic simulation.

Decrease the time needed to predict sound fields

Your customers expect quieter products – and the competition does not stand still – so product sound quality can be a differentiator. Tighter noise regulations can impact product sales. Simcenter acoustic simulation solutions can help decrease the time spent on predicting sound fields and can shave weeks off complex jobs like engine run-ups.

Simcenter offers interior and exterior acoustic simulation within an integrated solution that helps you make informed decisions during the early design stages. This allows you to optimize your product’s acoustic performance. A unified and scalable modeling environment combined with efficient solvers and easy-to-interpret visualization capabilities enable you to quickly gain insight into the acoustic performance of your product.

A submarine model, showing sound vibrations visual from the Simcenter software.
Case study

Mazda Motor Company

Read how Mazda is perfecting in-vehicle audio with model-based development and full-vehicle simulation using Simcenter 3D and HEEDS to optimize audio acoustic performance and reduce simulation from 2.5 days to 4 hours.

Case Study

Perfecting in-vehicle audio with model-based development and full-vehicle simulation

Company:Mazda Motor Corporation, Mazda Engineering and Technology

Industry:Automotive & transportation

Location:Fuchū, Hiroshima, Japan

Siemens Software:HEEDS, Simcenter 3D Solutions

Read

Acoustic simulation capabilities

Acoustic modeling

Acoustic simulations require specialized capabilities beyond standard finite element (FE) modeling capabilities. Often you need to model things like the air volume and the area where you want to measure acoustic pressures. Simcenter provides the advanced features you need, such as surface wrapping, convex meshing, mesh thickening and the ability to create hybrid (hexa-tetra) meshes, to help you accelerate acoustic meshing processes more than traditional preprocessors. The availability of various material models for both structure and fluid, and the wide variety of structural and acoustic boundary conditions and loads, allows you to efficiently set up your analysis.

3D rendering of an accoustic modelling of a car engine

Finite element acoustics

The finite element method (FEM) for acoustics analysis is ideal for simulating interior acoustics problems. In addition to FEM being the more efficient method in terms of solution speed, it lets you perform coupled vibro-acoustics analyses that take structural modes and soundproofing materials into consideration. FEM acoustics can be easily used to solve exterior acoustics problems as well, such as for noise radiation analysis for powertrain components like air induction systems, gearboxes, or full electric drive units.

A visual of an acoustics analysis from the Simcenter software.

Boundary element acoustics

Often used for exterior acoustics problems, the boundary element method (BEM) is ideal for problems involving very complex geometry that may be a challenge to model for the FEM method. The BEM method helps simplify exterior acoustics simulation since only the outer surface mesh of the geometry is needed. This simplifies both the modeling process and reduces the degrees of freedom in the simulation model which will result in easier analysis.

Accoustic study of an engine

Aeroacoustics

Flow-induced aeroacoustic noise is a significant component of the acoustic signature of a vehicle or other products. Predicting and understanding noise generation mechanisms, localizing sound sources, identifying transmission paths, and predicting system acoustic response are key to good acoustic design. With Simcenter, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of your noise predictions, enabling you to develop effective design countermeasures. This ensures that your products maintain optimal sound quality and a competitive edge in the market.

Example applications include: noise from heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and environmental control system (ECS) ducts, train boogies and pantographs, cooling fans, ship and aircraft propellers and more.

A visual of an aeroacoustic noise using Simcenter software.

Aero-vibro-acoustics

Create aero-acoustic sources close to noise-emitting turbulent flows as computed from a CFD solution and compute their acoustic response in the exterior or interior environment. In aero-vibro-acoustic applications, the flow turbulences are introduced possibly both aerodynamic and aero-acoustic pressure on a structure, which responds by vibrating. These vibrations cause acoustic waves to radiate in the surrounding air. For example, you can predict cabin noise inside cars and aircraft due to wind loads acting on the vehicle’s windows and structural body. The pressure loads at the start of these analyses can come from CFD solutions or from a set of so-called Turbulent Boundary Layer models, included in the software.

A visual of aero vibro acoustics from the Simcenter software.
On-demand webinars

Learn more

Computer dashboard view of an engine accoustic simulation
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Vehicle NVH and acoustics

Gain insights in how to reduce noise and vibrations, while striking an excellent balance between cost-efficiency, weight and performance.

A visual from Simcenter 3D modeling software.
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Electric and hybrid electric vehicles

Compared to internal combustion engines, other noises are more dominant in electric vehicles and especially at lower speed and frequencies.

Example of wind tunnel measurement performed at DLR, Germany. Source: Thomas Ahlefeldt.
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Insight into aircraft aeroacoustics

When designing a new aircraft configuration, predicting the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performance early in the program is important.

Explore acoustic simulation products

Visual of a 3D model created with the Simcenter 3D software.
Simcenter

Simcenter 3D software

Address complex engineering challenges by enhancing simulation efficiency. Simcenter 3D is one of the most comprehensive, fully-integrated CAE solutions for complex, multidisciplinary product performance engineering.
CFD simulation of a vehicle component made with the Simcenter Nastran software.
Simcenter

Simcenter Nastran software

Accurately simulate your products for structural strength, vibration and acoustics. Simcenter Nastran is a premier finite element method (FEM) solver for computational performance, accuracy, reliability and scalability.
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