Genetic algorithm in the optimization of the acoustic attenuation systems

Abstract

It is well known that Genetic Algorithms (GA) is an optimization method which can be used in problems where the traditional optimization techniques are difficult to be applied. Sonic Crystals (SC) are periodic structures that present ranges of sound frequencies related with the periodicity of the structure, where the sound propagation is forbidden. This means that in the acoustic spectrum there are ranges of frequencies with high acoustic attenuation. This attenuation can be improved producing vacancies in the structure. In this paper we use a parallel implementation of a GA to optimize those structures, by means of the creation of vacancies in a starting SC, in order to obtain the best acoustic attenuation in a predetermined range of frequencies. The cost function used in GA is based on the Multiple Scattering Theory (MST), which is a self consistent method for calculating acoustic pressure in SCs. As a final result we achieve a quasi ordered structures that presents a high acoustic attenuation in a predetermined range of frequencies, independent of the periodicity of the SC. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.