Vibro-acoustic responses of a coupled propeller-shaft-hull system due to propeller forces

The vibro-acoustic responses of a submerged propeller-shaft-hull coupled system under propeller forces in different directions are investigated by the coupled finite element/boundary element method. In the analysis, the acoustic transfer vector (ATV) approach is utilized to study the acoustic contribution from the elastic propeller and the hull. By applying the modal decomposition technology, the effects of the stem bearing on the acoustic response of the coupled system under transversal propeller force are observed. The numerical results are compared with those obtained from a hydroacoustic experiment of the propeller-shaft-hull coupled system. The effects of the decreasement of the stiffness of the thrust bearing on the acoustic response of the coupled system are discussed.