Project Supervisors: Dr Joshua Meggitt and Professor Jordan Cheer
Project Partner: DSTL
Project Outline:
This PhD project focuses on developing new methods to predict and analyse the sound power radiated by complex engineering systems—without needing full physical prototypes. Since real structures are made of many interacting components that each generate noise and vibration, the research aims to:
- Predict total sound power from individual component-level measurements.
- Break down measured sound power into contributions from different internal sources.
- Handle both structural and airborne transmission paths that shape the final radiated sound.
To achieve this, the project will advance Transfer Path Analysis (TPA) techniques—such as blocked force and substructuring methods—combined with analytical sound radiation models and inverse methods. Work will involve both experimental testing and numerical simulation.
In collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), this PhD is jointly run by the University of Southampton’s Institute of Sound and Vibration Research and the University of Salford’s Acoustics Research Centre, offering a flexible, collaborative research environment. Key benefits include impactful work toward quieter technologies, creative and interdisciplinary problem-solving, and balanced skill development across theory, computation, and experiments.
Further project information:
Sound power is a fundamental measure of the acoustic “strength” of a source and is widely used in the assessment of domestic appliances, industrial machinery, automotive components, among other engineered systems. It is also a key performance metric in active noise control applications, where radiated sound power is often used as the primary quantity to be minimised. While standardised procedures for directly measuring sound power are well established through international standards, these methods rely on physical prototypes and measurements that may not be feasible on large-scale complex engineering systems. Modern engineering workflows increasingly require the ability to predict sound power at early design stages, before full-scale construction.
Real-world structures typically contain multiple interacting sub-components that each act as vibro-acoustic sources. Their combined behaviour governs the overall radiated sound power of the complete assembly. This PhD project aims to develop new methodologies to (a) predict total sound power using individual component-level measurements and (b) decompose measured sound power into contributions from distinct internal sources. Achieving this requires simultaneously addressing structural and airborne acoustic transmission paths, which together shape the radiated sound pressure field.
The research will explore and extend advanced Transfer Path Analysis (TPA) approaches—including in-situ blocked force techniques and substructuring methods—in combination with analytical sound radiation models and inverse methods. The project will involve a balanced mix of experimental investigations and numerical simulations to validate and refine the proposed methods.
This is a collaborative project between the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at the University of Southampton and the Acoustics Research Centre at the University of Salford. The PhD student will be part of both research environments and will spend time at each institution, with flexibility in how this is arranged.
SUMMARY
Impactful research — Your work will contribute to quieter homes, workplaces, and transport systems, improving everyday wellbeing.
Creative problem-solving — You’ll be developing new ways of understanding complex systems, not just applying existing tools.
Supportive, collaborative environments — You’ll be part of two leading acoustics research communities at the University of Southampton and the University of Salford, with flexibility in how you divide your time.
Balanced skill development — The project offers a mix of experimental work, computational modelling, and theoretical development, giving you a strong and versatile research profile.
Inclusive, interdisciplinary culture — Acoustics brings together engineering, physics, psychology, design, and creativity. Diverse perspectives are genuinely valued and often lead to the most innovative solutions.
Subject Areas: Vibration acoustics, Acoustics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics
Required qualifications/skills:
- UK National
- A first-class degree or Master’s degree in Acoustics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or similar
- Experience with acoustics and vibration analysis desired.
- Strong analytical and quantitative research skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
