Projects

Started

Basic and strategic applied research

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Other sociological economical and environmental impact of energy)

Dr JWR Meggitt
University of Salford

Standard

EPSRC

01 September 2025

31 August 2028

36 months

£892,000

Mechanical engineering

North West

NC : Engineering

Dr JWR Meggitt, University of Salford

Dr JA Hargreaves, University of Salford
Dr MM Richter, University of Nottingham
Professor G Tanner, University of Nottingham

Cars, trains, satellites, boats, airplanes, and buildings are complex structures where vibration has to be accurately simulated during design. If excessive noise is created by the vibration, then this can affect health and well-being, result in products failing to meet regulations, as well as reducing sales and customer satisfaction. Consequently, vibro-acoustic modelling is vital to product design cycles. However, the current state-of-the-art is incapable of dealing with the challenges arising from electrification for net-zero and other engineering trends such as digital twins and modular/ prefabricated construction. Complex structures require a modelling approach that starts with simulation or measurement of individual components and then combines these to realise a model for the full structure. This component-based approach is used extensively in design today across sectors via various commercial software. However, the available methods are restricted to low-to-mid frequencies due to the limitations of current experimental and numerical techniques, as a consequence of their 'point-wise' view of vibration. There is no suitable framework for mid-to-high frequency vibro-acoustic simulation, the frequency range that is becoming ever more important due to electrification driven by net-zero. The xDEA project will address this industrial capability gap by developing a new simulation framework that combines state-of-the-art experimental methods from Transfer Path Analysis and the cutting-edge high frequency simulation using Dynamical Energy Analysis (DEA, objective 1). DEA will be extended by developing inputs for experimental data representing components that cannot be easily modelled. On the experimental side, xDEA will develop new techniques able to characterise complex components at mid-to-high frequencies (objective 2). Capturing directional information, such as energy flow / intensity, using optical techniques will be the key innovation here. This information is crucial for high frequency simulations. Together, these innovations will provide a robust vibro-acoustics simulation strategy for a broad class of engineering structures. The demand for this is evidenced by support from internationally leading players, including Siemens PLM (software & measurement), Jaguar Land Rover (automotive), Airbus (aerospace), Hoare Lea (construction), BAE Systems (marine) and QinetiQ (defence, marine). Our partners cover key sectors of UK's Plan For Growth and are ready to lead the way in hybrid vibro-acoustics modelling thus supporting Digital Twin design development. Together with our partners, the developments of xDEA will be applied to a series of industry-posed case studies (objective 3) demonstrating the practicality of the new xDEA framework in the mid-to-high frequency range. Not only will industry gain from this research - through decreased product time to market, increased product reliability, and reduced material waste and cost - ultimately the general public will benefit from products and places sounding better, and reducing the harms due to environmental noise

14/01/26