Time domain finite volume method for three-dimensional structural–acoustic coupling analysis

This work extends the application of finite volume method (FVM) to structural–acoustic problems. A three-dimensional time domain FVM (TDFVM) is proposed to predict the transient response and natural characteristics of structural–acoustic coupling systems. Acoustic wave equation in heterogeneous medium and structural dynamic equation are solved in fluid and solid sub-domains respectively. The structural–acoustic coupling is implemented according to normal components of particle acceleration continuity condition and normal traction equilibrium condition at the interface. The computational domain is discretized with four-node tetrahedral grid which is generated easily and has strong adaptability to complicated geometries. Numerical experiments are carried out to examine the accuracy of the method in both time domain and frequency domain. The results show good agreement with analytical solutions and numerical results. For structural–acoustic problem, TDFVM has the capability to consider the heterogeneity of both fluid and solid.