Application of Transfer Path Analysis Technique to Cruise Ships

The transfer path analysis (TPA) method is considered to be an important and effective tool for identifying vibration and noise (VN) sources and main transfer paths. This technique is commonly developed and well-established in the automotive field. In contrast it has not been applied to in naval architecture yet, accounting for the complexity of the path, the higher number of the receivers' locations and the many sources on board (e.g. engine, propeller, generator, pumps..). In this paper, the Polytechnic School of the University of Genoa, together with Cetena, presents a preliminary approach for applying the TPA technique in the marine field to a cruise ship. After a comprehensive review of the method, the results of the TPA application are presented by analysing the measurements taken during a sea trial.