Norwegian Technical Institute Simulates Sound Generation in Buildings

Finn Løvholt, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), Norway

The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) is an international center for research and consulting that investigates the generation of building vibration due to infrasound. They aim to recommend countermeasures to mitigate low-frequency sound waves at levels of sensitivity, intrusion, and danger for humans. Researchers created a COMSOL Multiphysics® model that captures low-frequency sound waves hitting and penetrating a building. With the COMSOL® software, they varied relevant parameters to look at the acoustics of open-air sound interacting with indoor structural dynamics. They also captured a wide range of resonances generated by the sound waves. They verified their simulation with physical testing.