LMS Virtual.Lab Designer Acoustics is an easy-to-use acoustic simulation solution for predicting and improving sound and noise performance of a broad range of systems. With its straightforward models and embedded solver technology, users can receive results faster, without compromising simulation accuracy. With LMS Virtual.Lab Designer Acoustics, designers and analysts can prepare the acoustic model starting from CATIA CAE models, apply the acoustic sources, run the embedded acoustic solvers and post-process the results, all in a geometry-associative process.
The product range of LMS Virtual.Lab Designer Acoustics covers multiple acoustic solvers. The solver can be based on the Boundary Element Method or the Finite Element Method. The Boundary Element Method (BEM) effectively reduces complex 3-dimensional geometries to 2-dimensional surface dimensions. The 2-dimensional surface mesh can either be obtained through CATIA CAE products (GPS or FMS), the optional Mesh Coarsening module of LMS Virtual.Lab, or external CAE packages. With BEM, only the surface areas of the structural systems that are vibrating or emanating sound need to be modeled. The BEM model sizes are typically limited to multiple thousands of elements, resulting in relatively small models that are easy to create, verify and handle. The Boundary Element method is most suitable for acoustic radiation problems (exterior acoustics).
With the Finite Element Method (FEM), the acoustic space is modeled by 3-dimensional solid acoustic elements. By using these acoustic elements, the properties of the fluid medium, such as air or noise-absorbing materials or objects (e.g. car seats) can be modeled accurately. The acoustic FEM mesh can be generated by CATIA CAE modules (GPS, FMD), which retains the associativity with the underlying geometry, or can be provided by external CAE solutions. The acoustic FEM approach is very successful in predicting and solving interior acoustics problems.
Acoustics results are presented through relevant 2-dimensional charts, which typically include SPL with dB weighting and (1/3) octave plotting. The postprocessing capabilities of LMS Virtual.Lab Designer Acoustics comply with today’s best practices in acoustic engineering, and can be easily tuned to specific needs of acoustic design and engineering teams.
