Fully-coupled aeroelastic simulation with fluid compressibility - For application to vocal fold vibration

Area of Science:

• Computational fluid dynamics
• Biomechanics
• Acoustics

Background:

• Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) is complex, especially with compressible fluids and deformable structures.
• Accurate modeling of voice production requires simulating the dynamic interplay between airflow and vocal fold mechanics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a fully-coupled fluid-structure interaction model for compressible airflow and aeroelastic structures.
• To apply this model to simulate self-sustained vocal fold vibrations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the modified Immersed Finite Element Method (mIFEM) for robust FSI simulation.
• Incorporated fluid compressibility (isentropic process) and a solid contact model.
• Verified the compressible fluid solver using acoustic wave propagation in ducts.

Main Results:

• Successfully simulated self-sustained vocal fold vibration under physiological conditions.
• Demonstrated the model's ability to handle compressible airflow interacting with layered viscoelastic vocal fold structures.
• Parametric studies revealed the influence of lung pressure and tissue stiffness on vocal fold dynamics.

Conclusions:

• The developed FSI model accurately captures vocal fold dynamics and airflow behavior.
• The model provides a reliable platform for future acoustical studies of phonation.
• Validated computational approach for simulating complex bioacoustic phenomena.