Title: Development of the Vibrational EFA (Energy Flow Analysis) Software EFADSC++ R4 and its Applications to Automobiles
text: The Energy Flow Analysis (EFA) offers very promising results in predicting the noise and vibration responses of system structures in medium-to-high frequency ranges. We have developed the Energy Flow Finite Element Method (EFFEM) based software, EFADS C++ R4, for the vibration analysis. The software can analyze the built-up structures composed of beam, plate, spring-damper, rigid body elements and so on, and has many useful functions. For the effectiveness and convenience of software, the main functions of the whole software are modularized into translator, model-converter, and solver. The translator module makes it possible to use of finite element (FE) model for the vibration analysis at low frequencies. The model-converter module changes FE model into energy flow finite element (EFFE) model. It is generates joint elements to cover the vibrational attenuation in the complex structures composed of various elements and can solve the joint element equations by using the wave transmission approach very quickly. The solver module supports the various direct and iterative solvers for multi-DOF structures. EFADS C++ R4 can also use the analytic parameters input by user. The simulation about the local part of real automobile is performed sucessfully.