Correlation of an acoustic finite element model of the automobile passenger compartment using loudspeaker excitation

An acoustic finite-element model of the automobile passenger compartment is developed and experimentally assessed for predicting the sound pressure response in the compartment. The acoustic finite-element model represents both the passenger compartment cavity and the trunk compartment cavity, with the coupling between them through the rear seats for which the acoustic properties are determined from a modified "heavy air" approximation. Measurements of the sound pressure response in the passenger compartment are obtained using a specially developed loudspeaker excitation device for assessing the accuracy of the model. Comparisons are made of the predicted versus measured sound pressure response to 300 Hz for loudspeaker excitation in both the passenger and trunk compartments.