Acoustic radiation prediction using panel contribution analysis combined with scale modeling

Panel contribution analysis can be used to predict machinery sound radiation, component contributions, and the effect of sound reduction treatments. The machinery is first discretized into a collection of panels or patches. Volume velocities are measured for each patch with the machinery operating, and transfer functions are measured between patches and receiver locations with the machinery turned off. In this work, transfer functions are measured using a scale model. Then, the sound pressure level produced by the generator set is predicted using a combination of panel contribution analysis and scale modeling where a 1/2 scale model is used to measure the acoustic transfer functions. It is demonstrated that panel contribution analysis can be used to predict sound pressure levels in the far field even using a relatively small hemi-anechoic chamber. In addition, the procedure successfully assesses the efficacy of barrier treatments.