Comparative vibroacoustic analyses: FEM vs. IGA

Abstract This study demonstrates the efficiency (computational time vs. accuracy) of the Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) approach compared to the Isoparametric Finite Element Method (FEM), for solving a coupled vibroacoustic problem. Two different examples are investigated: 3D computations of cylindrical fluid cavity enclosed by a structural boundary and 3D computations of a simplified vehicle model. The methodology sequentially addresses the structural problem, the acoustic problem, and ultimately the coupled vibroacoustic analysis. The primary variables under examination are the eigenfrequencies in these three configurations for both examples. A comparative analysis of FEM and IGA results is performed against a reference solution, focusing on eigenfrequency outcomes.