A mode count procedure for mid-frequency analysis of complex vibro-acoustic systems

Satellites and space equipment are exposed to high diffuse acoustic fields during the launch process that are able to excite the structure. The use of adequate techniques to model the structure response to the acoustic loads is a fundamental task during the design and verification phases. Currently, the efforts are focused in the mid-frequency range that in this paper is defined as the frequency range in which a combination of models is required. To select the most accurate modelling technique in each frequency band, this paper proposes a procedure based on the modal count of each subsystem. The procedure is applied in an ordinary satellite case and the frequency response continuity and agreement with experimental results are shown. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.