RESEARCH INTERESTS & ACTIVITIES:

                        Acoustics, Vibrations & Noise Control using Viscoelastic Damping.

                                Vibration Damping of Composite Materials and Structural Joints.

                                Dynamic Characterization of Elastomers, Bushings & Shock Absorbers.

                                Modal Analysis and Sound Quality in Product Design.

 

 SELECTED  RESEARCH PROJECTS:

 

·        Dynamic Characterization of Shock Absorbers & Bushings,  Sept. 97-Feb. 02 (Ford Motor Company)

 

The objective of this project is to re-define the testing and parameterization procedures for characterizing the static and dynamic properties of bushings and shock absorbers for CAE-NVH and Vehicle Dynamics(VD). Contributions include,  a) Integration and developmen of  a unified approach  to serve the needs and requirements of component data by NVH, CAE, VD and Durability, b) Save testing and analyses time and cost, and c) Better  represent the non-linear dynamic behavior under typical operating conditions. 

     

SAE Paper on  Dynamic Testing of Shock Absorbers

SAE Paper on Dynamic Testing & Modeling of Exhaust Hangers

How to Measure the Equivalent Stiffness and Damping of Shock Absorbers?

 

·        Applications of  Viscoelastic Passive Damping Technology, 1989-present (Ford, GM, Dow Chemical and New Venture Gear)

 

The objective of this program is to investigate strategies for adding damping treatments to automotive floor panels and other structures in order to develop optimized designed-in treatments.  The new treatments will be based on improved NVH, reduced weight and cost, and compatibility with existing manufacturing and assembly processes.  Existing methods for adding damping such as bake-on mastics, spray-on dampers, and constrained-layer dampers will be evaluated based on cost-benefit analysis and new strategies including integrated particle and patch will be investigated. 

 

How to measure frequency-averaged damping?

 

•        Evaluation of Noise Sources in 5Si Series HP Printers,  March 98-March 99 (Hewlett Packard)

The project involved a systematic analysis of various sources of noise in laser printers through sound intensity mapping and recommendations for reducing major noise source.

•        Optimization of VEO Mockup’s Noise and Vibration Motion Platform, March 98- April 99,  (Chrysler Corp. with Scott Bradley).

        The focus of the project was to develop a FEM based computer model to accurately represent the current motion platform system.  The model included the front and rear frames, all actuating mechanisms, linkages, isolation systems and each output device.  The second phase involved a sensitivity study to evaluate and optimize the platform response characteristics to improve its frequency response characteristics and reduce mechanical coupling during fore-aft and vertical excitations.

·        Evaluation of Sound Quality from Power Seat Tracks,  1995-96  (ITT Automotive & Johnson Controls, Inc.) 

        This research included studies on the perception of sound associated with signal modulation using  concepts from psychoacoustics, music, and engineering.  Subjective testing conducted using a paired comparison jury testing method were correlated with existing as well as new objective sound quality metrics. 

•        Noise Source Identification in Seat Belt Retractors,  Jan 95- March 96 (TRW Vehicle Safety Systems)

        The objective of this project was to evaluate the noise radiation from seat belt retractor systems. This involved a thorough literature review of any previous modeling work, and combined experimental and analytical work  for the noise radiation from the retractor systems.

·        Development of Modeling and Experiments for the Design and Manufacture of Composite Materials and Structures, State of Michigan, Jan 1991- Aug. 92  (with P.G. Charalambides).

Developed analytical models for damping of co-cured composites  with viscoelastic materials for aerospace applications and validated with experimental results. 

•        Damping Capacity of Adhesively Bonded Structural Joints, NSF Research Initiation Grant, Sept. 89- Aug. 92.

Formulated analytical models to predict the vibration and damping capacity of several structural joints/systems that incorporate viscoelastic adhesives including : a) Single Lap Joint, b) Double Strap Joint, c) Curved Sandwich Beam System, and d) Mul­tiple-Span Sandwich Beam System.

 

EXTERNAL RESEARCH CONTRACTS, GRANTS AND GIFTS

 

·        Study and Reduction of Noise from Terex Tele-handlers, Terex Corporation, Jan. 2007-Dec. 2007.

·        Evaluation of Acoustic Leaks inside the Volvo 210 C Excavator Cab,  Volvo Construction Equipment, Korea, Sept. 06-Aug.  07.

·        Correlation of Finite Element and Test Models for Thin Sheet Metal Structures, John Deere, Co., Sept. 06-May 07.

·        Measurement of Insertion Loss of Cab HVAC Duct Elements, Caterpillar, Inc., Sept. 05-May 07.(Senior Design Projects).

·        Optimum Design of an Exhaust Muffler for a Telehandler, Terex Corp., Sept. 06-May 07. (Senior Design Project).

·        Development and Validation of Sound Package Treatments to Reduce Noise from Caterpillar Engines, Caterpillar, Inc., Sept. 05-Dec. 06.

·        Caterpillar Foundation Grant, Caterpillar, Inc.,  May 2006.

·        Powertrain Mount Optimization, Ford Motor Company, Jan. 05-Dec. 06.(with J.   R. Blough).

·        Daimler-Chrysler Fellowship for F. Poradek, Sept. 05- May 06.

·        Study and Reduction of Interior Noise from Volvo Excavators, Volvo Construction Equipment, Korea, Sept. 05-Aug.  06.

·        Binaural Speech Metric for Army Communication Systems, Army Research Laboratory, May 06-Aug. 06.

·        Optimization of Powertrain Mounts for Steady State Operating Conditions, Ford Motor Company, Jan. 05-May 06.(with J.R. Blough).

·        Design of a Hemi-Anechoic Room Facility at Michigan Tech, Ford Motor Company, Jan. 05-Aug. 05.

·        NVH Enterprise, Volvo Construction Equipment, Korea, July 04-Aug.  05.

·        Evaluation of Acoustic Absorption of Grass, John Deere Co., May 04-Aug. 06.

·        Development of a Compliant Floor Test Stand, Whirlpool Corporation, Sept. 04-Aug. 05.(With C.D. VanKarsen & G.G. Parker)

·        Development of a Robust Speech Metric Based on Binaural Perception, 2005 U.S. Army Faculty Research and Engineering Program, Administered by Battelle Scientific Services Program, May 05-Dec. 05..

·        Validation of the Callsign Acquisition Test (CAT) in Simulated Real-World Military Communication Environments, 2004 U.S. Army Faculty Research and Engineering Program, Administered by Battelle Scientific Services Program, May 04-Oct. 04.

·        Speech Intelligibility of the Call Sign Acquisition Test (CAT) for Army Communication Systems-Phase II, 2003 U.S. Army Faculty Research and Engineering Program, Administered by Battelle Scientific Services Program, May 03-Oct. 03.

·        Speech Intelligibility of the Call Sign Acquisition Test (CAT) for Army Communication Systems, 2002 U.S. Army Faculty Research and Engineering Program, Administered by Battelle Scientific Services Program, May 02-Oct. 02.

·        Faculty Internship, Boeing, Corporation, Commercial Airplanes Division, Seattle, summer 2001.

·        Evaluation of Noise from Power Tools Used in the Construction Industry, NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health), 2001-2005.

·        Dynamic Characterization of Shock Absorbers & Bushings, Ford Motor Company, March 99-Feb. 02.

·        Evaluation of Noise Sources in 5Si Series HP Printers, Hewlett Packard, March 98-March 99.

·        Optimization of VEO Mockup’s Noise and Vibration Motion Platform, Chrysler Challenge Grant, March 98-  April 99. (with Scott Bradley).

·        Dynamic Characterization of Shock Absorbers, Ford Motor Company, Sept. 97--Aug. 1998.

·        Ph.D. Fellowship for Research in Vibroacoustics, General Motors Foundation, March 97-Feb. 2001.

·        LMS CADA-X Sound Quality System, LMS International, Feb. 1997. (with C.D. Van Karsen).

·        Sound Quality Education and Research, MTU President’s Club, Feb. 1997. (with H.A. Evensen & C.D. Van Karsen).

·        Ford URP grant- Education/Facilities for MTS 831 Elastomer Test Machine, Feb. 1997. (with H.A. Evensen & Scott Gruenberg).

·        Passive Damping Treatment of a Prototype Transmission Cover, New Venture Gear, Jan. 1997. (with G. Simula).

·        Matching grant to purchase the MTS Elastomer Test Machine, Research Excellence Fund, State of Michigan, 1996 with H.A. Evensen & Scott Gruenberg.

·        NVH Level II Course, Ford Motor Company, March 96- Feb. 97 (with  W.R. Shapton, and H.A. Evensen).

·        Evaluation of Sound Radiation from Power Seat Tracks, ITT Automotive, March 1996.

·        Development of a short course on Acoustic Intensity & Sound Quality, LMS International, Oct. 1995 (with C.D. Van Karsen).

·        Sound Quality of Power Seat Adjusters, Johnson Controls, Inc., Oct. 1995.

·        Noise Source Identification in Seat Belt Retractors, TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Jan. 95- March 96, $45,000.

·        NVH Level II Course, Ford Motor Company, March 95-Feb. 96 (with W.R. Shapton, and H.A. Evensen).

·        NVH Level II Course, Ford Motor Company, March 94-Feb. 95 (with W.R. Shapton, and H.A. Evensen).

·        Development of a short course on Acoustics and Advanced Noise Control, Ford Climate Control Division, Dec. 93.

·        Ford URP grant -Education/Facilities for Laser Vibrometer Sept. 93 (with H.A. Evensen).

·        Noise, Vibration & Harshness Instruction and Research, Ford URP grant, Feb. 93 (with W.R. Shapton & H.A. Evensen).

·        Development of Modeling and Experiments for the Design and Manufacture of Composite Materials and Structures, State of Michigan, Jan. 1991- Aug. 92 (with P.G. Charalambides).

·        Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program Grant, National Science Foundation, Sept. 90-Aug. 91.

·        Damping Capacity of Adhesively Bonded Structural Joints, NSF Research Initiation Grant, Sept. 89- Aug. 92.