Title: Design of a World-Class Vehicle Acoustical Laboratory Facility
text: This paper examines the critical design elements and issues associated with converting facility goals and business objectives into a functional facility. The design of the General Motors Noise and Vibration Analysis Laboratory (NVAL) will be discussed to help clarify key points. A team-oriented design approach is essential to meet the stringent safety, flexibility and operational requirements associated with noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) facilities. The first step is establishing the design team and their respective roles in the process. The challenge of “how to build a facility that meets the specified objectives” is addressed in the programming phase. Operational and financial objectives are reviewed and validated. Upon completion of the programming effort, the team attacks the special technical challenges borne out of that process. This is the beginning of the design development phase of the project and involves tackling such issues as acoustic isolation, vibration isolation and HVAC system noise control. The goal is to meet the technical challenges associated with actual facility capabilities and simultaneous testing of different operations within the building. At the conclusion of these critical elements, the design team is prepared to complete the detailed design of the facility and plan for the ensuing construction.(1) This paper offers a summary of the NVH facility design process, as well as key items learned through the course of the GM NVAL design effort.