Vibro-acoustics time domain FEM-BEM analysis of a Titian Stradivari violin: the role of the bridge

The acoustic behaviour of the violin is defined during manufacturing since the vibrational acoustic properties of the instrument are related to the top plate’s vibrational modes in a direct way. An important component of the violin assembly is the bridge. The bridge transfers the excitation forces from the strings to the soundboard via the bridge feet and acts as a sound filter. In this study the Titian Stradivari violin CAD geometry of the soundboard, including the f-holes and bass bar, and the bridge is modelled, and time domain coupled finite element method-boundary element method, vibro-acoustic, simulations are performed to analyse the interference of the instrument’s sound with its structural components. A comparison of the vibroacoustic behaviour for the soundboard with and without the bridge enlightens the crucial role of the bridge. This initial computational approach will be extended, with similar studies on the role of every structural component of the violin individually, aiming to decode the full violin soundbox vibroacoustic behaviour and provide key insights for violinmakers on how structural changes affect the quality of the emitted sound.