The acoustics & vibrations laboratory provides support for teaching and research within the areas of acoustics, vibrations, wear and machine condition monitoring. This involves the measurement and analysis of air-borne or structure-borne noise and vibration, and wear and fault analysis.
The laboratory is well-equipped with state-of-the-art noise and vibration instrumentation and wear testing facilities, ranging from sound level meters, multi-channel signal analysers, shakers, sound sources, accelerometers, microphones and multi-functional tribometers. The instrumentation and measurement systems are complemented by computer-based modal analysis and data processing systems.
Current research undertaken in the Laboratory covers the following:
- Signature management of maritime platforms
- Optimisation of mufflers for improved acoustic performance
- Diagnostics of helicopter gearboxes and gas turbine engines
- Modelling of faults in IC engines
- Geared systems and rolling element bearings
- Signal processing, machine condition monitoring
- Diagnostics and prognostics
- Wear analysis of mechanical and bio-engineering systems
- Research into active vibration control.
Research work undertaken in the Acoustics and Vibration Laboratory is in collaboration with the Defence Science Technology Organisation (DSTO).