Smoother and quieter car journeys

Smoother and Quieter Journeys Just  Around the Corner, as Major Automotive Study Gets Underway

Car journeys will become even smoother and quieter as a result of major new research which aims to cut noise and vibration in the next generation of vehicles. Academics within the School of Mathematical Sciences and Nottingham Trent University are working in collaboration with Jaguar LandRover and some industial partners in Germany to develop software to enable car manufacturers to accurately predict how a new model would respond to high levels of structural vibration caused by air resistance.

Dr Gregor Tanner from mathematical sciences and Dr David Chappell are responsible for a new theory called - Dynamical Energy Analysis which aims to reduce excess vibration and noise in vehicles in the mid-high frequency range, which is typically a problem for manufacturers, as it is not able to be properly modelled by existing techniques.

The  €1.9 million study would allow them to identify any unwanted noises and address them at the design stage, dramatically cutting costs by removing the need to develop an expensive physical prototype.

Controlling and minimising vibration and shaking would give manufacturers a crucial and competitive advantage in the drive for lower noise pollution levels and enhanced driver and passenger comfort. Avoiding high levels of vibration would also work to reduce wear and tear on the vehicle, saving motorists in repair costs.

The aim is to create the first ever simulation tool which would model the precise structural vibrations of a vehicle over the whole range of frequencies audible to humans.

The researchers hope to be able to provide a robust and detailed analysis of any vehicle’s vibrations on a very fine scale, taking into account the materials and intricate couplings between different components.

This simulation would be implemented into the existing computer aided engineering toolkit, used by the automotive industry to reduce development time and cost, while improving safety, comfort and durability of vehicles.

Engineers would enter the model’s parameters into the system to see a detailed visualisation of the car they are modelling – they could then see how the vibration levels would affect the vehicle itself, and how noisy the vehicle would be.

The range of existing techniques to address noise and vibration issues are considered inadequate by experts and are not suitable for frequencies above 500Hz – meaning manufacturers cannot currently predict how a vehicle will respond to this type of force.

“Noise and vibration issues can seriously detract from the reputation of a vehicle, with a knock-on detrimental effect for the entire brand,” said Dr David Chappell, a researcher in Nottingham Trent University’s School of Science and Technology.

He said: “Noise and vibration differs greatly vehicle-to-vehicle at high frequencies, but this modelling technique would be indispensable for manufacturers, with tightening legal regulations around noise pollution. It would also dramatically cut their costs, and could lead to vehicles being produced and sold for less. Motorists and their passengers would also reap major benefits, with improved journey comfort.”