Knowledge of the damping properties of a windshield is a fundamental element of the acoustical characterization of a car. The measuring method of damping for a windshield is presented in the paper. The damping loss factor – as a basic measure of mechanical damping – was determined experimentally by two means: the reverberation time from impact hammer testing as well as the modal behavior from 3D laser scanning vibrometer measurements. The results proved that the modal shapes have a fundamental effect on the measured damping values.

Exhaust system and its surrounding is a thermally highly critical part of a vehicle: during forced operation, hottest elements can reach 600 °C. The thermal conditions turn to even more critical if the forced flow leaves off – e.g. when the car stops at a highway parking place. In such a case not only the cooling effect of cross-flow disappears, but the natural convection starts to bring heat toward nearby elements – resulting potential overheating of concerned parts. A measurement setup for modelling such case was built, and different parameters were examined, which have influence on the heating of aluminium heatshield above the exhaust tube. Measurements were complemented by CFD simulations and flow visualization technique aiming the better understanding of evolving thermal and flow conditions.