A comparison of different methods for determination of coupling factor and velocity response of coupled plates

Coupling loss factors (CLF) and velocity responses has been computed for two plates joined in a ‘L’ junction configuration using Statistical Energy Analysis. The analyses have been carried out to study the effects of internal loss/damping factor on the coupling factors. The effects of plate widths on the coupling factors and velocity responses at high frequencies has also been studied. The statistical energy parameters have been computed using analytical wave approach, finite element method and Free-SEA software. The studies have revealed that the coupling factor computed by the wave approach is independent of the internal loss factor as compared to the values computed using finite element method, wherein CLF increases linearly as the internal loss factor varies from a zero value, followed by a transition region and converges to the values obtained by the analytical wave approach and remains insensitive to changes at higher values of damping. The results obtained from the studies signify the effects of internal loss/damping factor and plate widths on proper selection and usage of the above mentioned methods for the estimation of coupling factors and velocity responses using statistical energy approach.