Numerical evaluation of the insertion loss of lightweight TorHex sandwich panels

This paper documents the vibro-acoustic properties of a sandwich panel with a TorHex core and skins of polypropylene, reinforced with natural fibers. It is intended to be in line with the actual NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) requirements of lightweight material components, always more crucial in the automotive industry. The IL (insertion loss) of the mentioned structure is experimentally and numerically determined in a frequency range up to 1,4kHz. The experimental analysis is performed by exciting a rigid acoustic cavity enclosed by the sandwich panel and measuring the radiated power. The physical behaviour of the examined structure is well captured numerically in the studied frequency region. Further optimization of the numerical model is on-going in order to get a powerful tool for the prediction of the insulation properties of such a complex structure.