Modeling and optimization of duct silencer with complex internal partitions

A sub-structuring vibroacoustic approach is proposed to systematically deal with the difficulties and complexities involved in the modeling and optimization problem of duct silencers with complex internal partitions. The mixed separation of rigid/flexible structure with allowed air aperture between coupled acoustic domains is modeled as a compound structural interface, which greatly simplifies the coupling treatment and facilitates the original sub-structuring framework. Calculations using the proposed approach show excellent agreement with FEM analyses and experimental measurements. The flexibility of the method in performing possible system optimization is demonstrated through a number of numerical examples. It is concluded that a proper design of silencer internal configurations can significantly enhance the sound attenuation performance, which is desired for practical industrial applications.