The effect of decay rate variability on statistical response predictions in acoustic systems

Statistical predictions for the mean value and variance of both power input and power transmission in acoustic systems are presented which include the effect of variable modal decay rates. The newly derived models indicate that the variability of both characteristics is expected to increase with increasing decay rate variability while predicting the effect. Results from numerical experimentation are presented which confirm both the expected variability increase in power transmission and the presented models' ability to qualitatively and quantitatively capture the increase. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited