Auralization of Finite-Element and Boundary Element Vibroacoustic Models With Wave Field Synthesis

Proulx F, Berry A, Gauthier PA. Auralization of Finite-Element and Boundary Element Vibroacoustic Models With Wave Field Synthesis. J Audio Eng Soc. 2025;73(7/8):446-460. doi:10.17743/jaes.2022.0205

@article{Proulx2025_22923,
  author = {Proulx, François and Berry, Alain and Gauthier, Philippe-Aubert},
  title = {{Auralization of Finite-Element and Boundary Element Vibroacoustic Models With Wave Field Synthesis}},
  journal = {Journal of the Audio Engineering Society},
  volume = {73},
  number = {7/8},
  pages = {446--460},
  year = {2025},
  month = jul,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society},
  doi = {10.17743/jaes.2022.0205},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.17743/jaes.2022.0205}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Auralization of Finite-Element and Boundary Element Vibroacoustic Models With Wave Field Synthesis
AU  - Proulx, François
AU  - Berry, Alain
AU  - Gauthier, Philippe-Aubert
T2  - Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
J2  - J. Audio Eng. Soc.
VL  - 73
IS  - 7/8
SP  - 446
EP  - 460
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/07/07
DO  - 10.17743/jaes.2022.0205
UR  - https://doi.org/10.17743/jaes.2022.0205
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - Wave field synthesis (WFS) is a spatial audio method that allows for auralization over an extended listening space and for a multi-listener experience. WFS is generally only suitable for simple compact sources and canonical extended virtual sources. It is not yet fully adapted to auralize complex radiating objects modeled via numerical methods, such as the finite element method (FEM) and the boundary element method (BEM). The authors propose an auralization workflow combining either FEM or BEM with WFS, for both coupled (vibroacoustic) and uncoupled (vibration) problems. General expressions are provided for loudspeaker driving functions using classical FEM and BEM outputs. The workflow is tested experimentally on a vibrating plate and a vibrating half-cylinder using a 24-loudspeaker WFS system. Both the frequency response and spatial directivity of these complex radiators are well reproduced. However, unwanted reflections from the listening room are visible in the later part of reproduced impulse responses. Although the methodology has inherent limitations that eventually need to be addressed in future work, it is believed that the proposed workflow is a step toward auralization approaches for complex sources and opens opportunities for engineers in terms of acoustic design and decision making.
ER  -