AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECT OF DOOR SEALS ON NOISE GENERATED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT

A numerical model of a family saloon car was generated using the boundary element method, with both wind and road tyre noise sources. Sound pressure spectra were generated for three different sealing conditions. Experiments were carried out on the car by measuring the noise levels inside the car, at different travel speeds, for the same sealing conditions. Frequency spectra of the sound pressure were obtained, and articulation indices were calculated. The results showed good agreement between the numerical and experimental results, and the increase in sound pressure level caused by the introduction of gaps into the seal was clearly observed.