Point and transfer mobility of point-connected ribbed plates

The work reported in this paper addresses the problem of structure-borne sound transmission between vibrating sources and ribbed-plate receiver structures. Vibrating sources, such as pumps, motors, fans, etc., transmit vibro-acoustic power, causing noise complaints by occupants in cars, trains, aircraft, buildings and/or material fatigue and damage. The transmission process is complicated in that sources transmit power through several contacts and by up to six components of excitation at each contact. The structure-borne sound power is a function of source activity, source mobility and receiver mobility, and all three quantities must be known to some degree. For non-homogeneous receiver structures, such as thin-plate cavity constructions or lightweight framed constructions, the sheathing plates are typically fastened to the framing members using bolts, screws or spot-welded joints. Hence the resulting system is a point-connected ribbed plate structure and the receiver mobility is expected to vary significantly with position. Since measured receiver data seldom is available for prediction purposes, a method of estimating the point and transfer mobility of point connected ribbed plates is required. In this paper, an approximate approach, based on substitution forces, is described. The model uses infinite beam and infinite plate behaviour as input quantities. Estimates of point and transfer mobility are compared with measured results using a timber joist floor construction as an example.