VAMM - Noise barrier with VAMM

Vibroacoustic metamaterials (VAMMs) have the potential to reduce vibrations and sound in a targeted and narrow-band frequency range. Some VAMM concepts are based on mechanical resonators that act as vibration absorbers at their natural frequency and thus absorb energy that would otherwise be emitted in the form of airborne sound and perceived as noise. The use of VAMMs has been investigated theoretically and experimentally in various areas in recent years. The automotive and aviation industries in particular are highly interested in solutions with VAMM, as they often achieve a higher acoustic performance with a lower mass. The newly developed concepts are analysed in numerical simulations and laboratory demonstrators are produced based on the best results of the simulations. These laboratory demonstrators are measured on a specially built test rig and compared with the results of the simulation. At the same time, work is also being carried out on production development and testing the cost-effectiveness of manufacturing the VAMM modules. Once the optimisation work has been completed, final laboratory demonstrators and prototypes will be built. The prototypes are subjected to various acoustic measurements, which are later required for certification. For example, measurements are carried out in the reverberation chamber to determine the sound reflection and on the window and wall test bench to measure the airborne sound insulation. In addition, these parameters are also measured in-situ in a real structure.