Prediction of wind noise using a multi-disciplinary CFD and Vibro- Acoustic approach

Environmentally conscious OEMs are making cars ever more efficient by using lightweight steel and composite materials, which can present a challenge for in-vehicle acoustic performance. The body panels should be designed and mounted in such a way that yield sufficiently high transmission loss from exterior noise sources. Wind noise is such an external noise source which forms an important contributor to the total in-vehicle noise at higher vehicle speeds, especially if the vehicle is electrically powered.
This paper examines the acoustic performance of a car model when subjected to hydrodynamic wind loads typical of high speed operation. The sound transmission through a glass window loaded by turbulent flow, caused by the wind interaction with the A-Pillar, were measured and simulated on a simplified car model in collaboration with Hyundai.
As the pressure loads are caused by the turbulent flow phenomena they are to some extent random in nature. Depending on the stochastic characteristics of the pressure loading, different approaches to preprocess and to apply the load data are presented.
The effects of flow speed and yaw angle on the interior noise also are investigated demonstrating the potential for mature industrial applications.