In this study, a method to predict vehicle pass-by noise in a finite dimensioned, semi-anechoic chamber with chassis dynamometer has been developed. Vehicle noise has been modeled as the summation of the individual contributions regarding the principal noise components, namely, engine including air intake, front tire and rear tire noises. This method employs wave propagation, Doppler shift, and time delay in the estimation of the sound pressure due to each component at points of interest specified by relevant standards. An acoustical simulation model has been developed in MaTLAB environment. The model has been applied on two different vehicles. Finally, the predicted sound pressure values are found to be in good agreement with the corresponding values acquired in outdoor measurements addressed in ISO 362 for vehicle pass-by noise measurement standard.

Current European legislation aims to limit vehicle noise emissions since many people are exposed to road traffic noise in urban areas. Vehicle pass-by noise is measured according to the international standard ISO 362 in Europe. More recent investigations of urban traffic have led to the proposal of a revised ISO 362 which includes a constant-speed test in addition to the traditional accelerated test in order to determine the pass-by noise value. In order to meet the legal pass-by noise requirements, vehicle manufacturers and suppliers must analyse and quantify vehicle noise source characteristics during the development phase of the vehicle. In addition, predictive tools need to be available for the estimation of the final pass-by noise value. This thesis aims to contribute to the understanding of vehicle pass-by noise and of the characteristics of the vehicle noise sources contributing to pass-by noise. This is supported through an extensive literature review in which current pass-by noise prediction methods are reviewed as well. Furthermore, three vehicle noise sources are replicated experimentally under laboratory conditions. This involves an orifice noise source, represented by a specially designed loudspeaker on a moving trolley, shell noise, represented by a metal cylinder structure, and tyre cavity and sidewall noise, represented by an annular membrane mounted on a tyre-like structure. The experimentally determined directivity characteristics of the acoustically excited noise sources are utilised in the pass-by noise prediction method. The predictive results are validated against experimental measurements of the three vehicle-like noise sources made within an anechoic chamber.

Pour commercialiser un véhicule, les constructeurs automobiles doivent se soumettre à la réglementation sur le bruit extérieur. Le règlement de la commission économique pour l'Europe, ECE R51.03, spécifie les niveaux admissibles que peut rayonner un véhicule automobile en roulage. Ce règlement est entré en vigueur depuis le 1er juillet 2016 pour remplacer l'ancien règlement ECE R51.02 (changement de méthode d’essai et sévérisation des niveaux de bruit admissibles). La diminution drastique des niveaux sonores tolérés se fait en trois étapes : passage de 74 dB (A) sous l'ancien règlement, à 68 dB (A) en 2024. Par conséquent, les constructeurs ainsi que les fournisseurs automobiles seront confrontés à un grand défi pour atteindre cet objectif. Ainsi, l'objectif de ces travaux de thèse consiste à développer une aide à la modélisation totale du bruit de passage d’un véhicule, comme le préconisent les essais réglementaires. Le but est de construire des modèles optimaux pour prévoir et évaluer avec précision le bruit que peut rayonner un véhicule en roulage plus tôt dans son cycle de développement, i.e. avant l'étape d'industrialisation. Il faut alors se placer dans la recherche d'un compromis entre précision des estimations, sensibilité aux paramètres, robustesse de la méthode et efficacité numérique. / Currently, to put a vehicle on market, car manufacturers must comply to a certification test of exterior noise. The regulation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, ECE R51-03, specifies permissible levels a rolling motor vehicle can emit. This regulation is applied since July 1st, 2016, to replace the old regulation ECE R51-02 (test method change and tightening of permissible levels). The drastic reduction in noise levels will be done in 3 steps: from 74 dB (A) under the old regulation to 68 dB (A) in 2024. Therefore, manufacturers as well as their suppliers will face a great challenge to achieve this goal. The objective of this thesis is to develop an aid to the modeling of the pass-by noise of a vehicle, as called for in regulatory testing. The goal is to predict and evaluate accurately the noise emissions earlier in the vehicle development cycle, i.e. before the industrialization stage. We must then seek a trade-off between accuracy of estimates, sensitivity to parameters, robustness of the method and numerical efficiency.