An attempt to apply the element-free Galerkin method to room acoustics simulation

The Element-free Galerkin method (EFGM) is one of the meshfree methods that have been developed primarily in the fields of strength of materials and fluid dynamics. Compared to conventional numerical methods, such as FEM, BEM, and FDTDM, EFGM does not divide the analysis area or boundary into elements, thus eliminating the need for tasks and time required for element division. In addition, divergence is less likely to occur in the mid- and high-frequency ranges, and this method can be applied accurately to complex geometries, because the interpolation function at each node is calculated continuously in the analysis area. However, these benefits have not been confirmed because there is no previous study of EFGM for room acoustics simulation. In this study, an attempt was performed to examine the potential of EFGM for room acoustics simulation. The results of the EFGM calculations were compared with the results of benchmark platform organized by Japanese numerical analysis researchers and acoustic measurements in an actual space.