Air cabin acoustics
One of the institute`s core competences is the prediction and optimization of the acoustic properties of air cabins. Numerous projects within this field of research - among others in cooperation with Airbus, EADS and Lufthansa Technik - have been carried out since its establishment. Discretization methods like FEM and BEM as well as energy based approaches are developed to investigate sound transmission losses through aircraft fuselage, insulation and cabin padding. The prediction of the air cabin's sound field is realized by iterative or model order reducing approaches as well as raytracing algorithms. Another research objective, among others, is the development of a modular subsystem model of the cabin's ventilation system.
Vehicle acoustics
Another important topic at the institute is the development and application of computation models in the field of vehicle acoustics. Besides the prediction of sound propagation and the interior acoustic field of automobiles, ships and submarines by use of FEM / BEM as well as SEA, the focus is on sound radiation problems. For many years the institute gained experience regarding boundary and finite element approaches for exterior acoustics, which for example can be applied to computational models for tire and traffic noise.
Offshore pile driving noise
The prediction of sound levels, due to the foundation of offshore wind turbines by pile driving, aims at conserving marine species, like the protected habor porpoise. A near field FEM model is developed, which predicts sound levels depending on the foundation type and noise mitigation system at hand. The sound propagation into the far field is realized by a coupled wavenumber integration approach. Finally, the model validation is done using measurement data, which has been recorded within the scope of profound pile driving accompanying measurement campaigns.
Sealing technology
Since more than two decades the performance of radial shaft seals is being investigated in various facets at the TUHH. Today the institute owns numerous radial shaft seal tribometers as well as special test facilities to determine e.g. breakaway torque, efficiency loss, radial forces and surface conditions. Besides investigations regarding abrasion, leakage, efficiency loss and durability, one future target is the numerical prediction radial shaft seal performance. Current research focuses on the development of elastomer material models within the scope of sealing technology.
Meshfree methods
Meshfree methods, in contrast to classical discretization methods, base on a particle approach to solve a field problem. By avoiding the generation of a meshgrid, they are especially capable of dealing with complex geometries as well as large deformation problems. Current research at the institute aims for the application of meshfree methods within the scope of soil-structure interactions as well as acoustics.
Parameter uncertainties
Steady improvements within the fields of computer technology and computational methods allows for more and more precise and detailed numerical models. Nonetheless, production intolerances, material parameter variance or generally limited information result in input parameter uncertainties that might lead to large deviations between the predicted and the actual performance of a system component. Although there are various methods to account for parameter uncertainties, their efficient implementation in case of profound models, e.g. in the field of vibroacoustics, still is challenging. Besides fundamental questions regarding the consideration of parameter uncertainties within the scope of numerical simulations, the institute therefore develops efficient approaches for complex application fields, like aircraft or ship's acoustics.