High-Fidelity Versus Reduced-Order Numerical Models for Sound Transmission Loss Prediction of Acoustic Metamaterials

This paper proposes a comprehensive numerical methodology for predicting Sound Transmission Loss (STL) in acoustic metamaterials. It integrates a high-fidelity model (HFM), using Thermoviscous Acoustics for detailed characterization, with a reduced-order model (ROM), employing Pressure Acoustics in COMSOL Multiphysics. The goal is a hierarchical approach balancing computational cost with predictive accuracy for metamaterial designs. The results show that HFM is crucial for understanding complex dissipative mechanisms, especially viscous and thermal losses in sub-wavelength features. The ROM offers rapid predictions for broader design exploration. The case studies compare these models against each other and to experimental results in the low-to-mid frequency range. The average STL values for both models diverged by a marginal 6 dB.