A matrix-free Model Order Reduction scheme for vibro-acoustic problems with complex damping treatments

As the high computational cost hampers simulation over large frequency bands, the current generation of CAE tools, such as the Finite Element Method (FEM), struggles. This problem becomes even worse in the presence of damping treatments. Many Model Order Reduction (MOR) techniques have been developed to alleviate the overall computational load of numerical simulations. Most of them, however, struggle with the complex, and especially frequency dependent properties of typical damping materials. To overcome this problem, a matrix-free technique is proposed. This method is a rational Krylov approach as it uses forced responses to span the projection subspace to reduce the model. As its name (“matrix-free”) suggests, it does not require explicit knowledge on the model matrices; the method works on any black-box transfer function between a given number of inputs and outputs. As such, it is a promising technique to speed up vibro-acoustic calculations, even in the presence of damping materials with frequency dependent properties.status: publishe