ASA 124th Meeting New Orleans 1992 October

3aSA3. Notions and concepts in statistical energy analysis revisited.

G. Maidanik

J. Dickey

DTMB, Annapolis, MD 21402-5067

The notions and concepts that helped develop and sustain the statistical energy analysis (SEA) are briefly reviewed and assessed. Particular attention is given to the division of a complex into constituent dynamic systems. It is argued that the division has a decisive role in the successful application of SEA. Indeed, the appropriate division may be dependent on the frequency range of interest. Modal groupings within each dynamic system are also discussed. When modes can be distinctly categorized; e.g., by their couplings to modes in other dynamic systems, it may become advantageous to group the modes into categories. Illustrations are cited in terms of complexes that can be modeled by coupled one-dimensional dynamic systems.