Efficient numerical simulation of the human voice: simVoice – a three-dimensional simulation model based on a hybrid aeroacoustic approach

Paul Maurerlehner*, Stefan Schoder, Clemens Freidhager, Andreas Wurzinger, Alexander Hauser, Florian Kraxberger, Sebastian Falk, Stefan Kniesburges, Matthias Echternach, Michael Döllinger, Manfred Kaltenbacher

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The process of voice production is a complex process and depends on the correct interaction of the vocal folds and the glottal airstream inducing the primary voice source, which is subsequently modulated by the vocal tract. Due to the restricted access to the glottis, not all aspects of the three-dimensional process can be captured by measurements without influencing the measurement object. Hence, the application of a numerical tool capturing the physical process of phonation can provide an extended database for voice treatment and, therefore, can contribute to an increased effectiveness of voice treatment. However, such numerical models involve complex and demanding procedures to model the material behavior and the mechanical contact of the vocal folds and to realize moving boundaries of the involved physical domains. The present paper proposes a numerical model called simVoice, which circumvents these computational expenses by prescribing the experimentally obtained vocal fold motion within the simulation. Additionally, a hybrid approach for sound computation further enhances the computational efficiency and yields good agreement with acoustic measurements. An analysis of the computational workloads suggests that the key factor for a further increase in efficiency is an optimized flow simulation and source term computation.

Translated title of the contributionEffiziente numerische Simulation der menschlichen Stimme basierend auf einem dreidimensionalen Modell mit hybridem aerodynamischen Ansatz
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)219-228
Number of pages10
JournalElektrotechnik und Informationstechnik
Volume138
Issue number3
Early online date7 Apr 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • human voice production
  • voice disorders
  • computational biomechanics
  • computational aeroacoustics (CAA)
  • Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
  • Phonation
  • Dysphonie

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fields of Expertise

  • Human- & Biotechnology

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