Optimization of Multi-Layer Series Micro-Perforated Panels Based on Ant Colony Algorithm

Abstract

To address the increasingly prominent issue of high-frequency traffic noise pollution and to overcome the limitation of narrow sound absorption bandwidth of single-layer micro-perforated panels (MPPs), this study presents a systematic investigation into the sound-absorbing structure of multi-layer series MPPs. First, based on Ma’s MPP theory, theoretical sound absorption models for multi-layer structures were derived by using both the acoustic-electrical analogy method and the transfer matrix method. Then, the sound absorption coefficient curves of both methods were compared through COMSOL simulations, confirming the superiority of the transfer matrix method in the analysis of multi-layer structures. Finally, ant colony algorithm (ACA) was introduced to optimize the structural parameters of the multi-layer series MPPs, aiming to broaden the sound absorption bandwidth to match the high-frequency traffic noise spectrum. The results demonstrate that the transfer matrix method outperforms the acoustic-electrical analogy method in predicting the sound absorption characteristics of multi-layer series MPPs. Furthermore, the optimized structure exhibits significantly improved sound absorption performance in the frequency range of 100-4 000 Hz, with MPPs’ effectiveness increasing with the number of layers. This study would provide a valuable theoretical foundation and practical design references for broad-frequency traffic noise control.

Keywords

micro-perforated panel (MPP) / acoustic-electrical analogy method / transfer matrix method / ant colony algorithm / broad-frequency sound absorption

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