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Acoustics and vibro-acoustics > Simcenter Nastran FEM acoustics > Post Processing

Scaling acoustic results

Acoustic results scaling lets you manipulate results so you can analyze different acoustic applications, such as speech or machinery, and for different fluid mediums, such as air or water. You can scale results using the default dB reference value (which is retrieved from the Customer Defaults dialog box) and the default dB format value (derived from the data type), or you can specify any other values in the dB Scaling group in the respective dialog boxes.

You can select one of the following logarithmic decibel scales for computing acoustic results using the Edit Result dialog box:

dB10 Scaling

Using the dB10 option, the scaled value is computed using:

10 log 10 (I / Io)

where:

  • I is the results quantity

  • Io is the reference value

dB20 Scaling

Using the dB20 option, the scaled value is computed using:

20 log 10 (P / Po)

where:

  • P is the results quantity

  • Po is the reference value

Default reference values are:

Output Scaling method Default reference value
Acoustic Pressure dB20 0.00002 N/m2
Acoustic Intensity dB10 1.E-12 Watt/m2
Acoustic Power dB10 1.E-12 Watt
Acoustic Particle Velocity dB20 5.E-8 m/s
Acceleration dB20 1.E-6 m/s2
Force dB20 1.E-8 N

You may also set the reference value to use in the calculation. When plotting other results types, the default dB scaling is 1 using a dB20 scale.

Pressure results without dB scaling Pressure results with dB scaling

Where do I find it?

Applying dB scaling to post views

Application Pre/Post
Prerequisites A Simulation file as the work part and displayed partSimcenter Nastran or Simcenter 3D Acoustics BEM as the specified solverAcoustic or Vibro-Acoustic as the specified analysis typeSimcenter 3D Noise and Vibration as the specified solverVibro-Acoustic as the specified analysis typeResults loaded
Command Finder Edit Result
Location in dialog box Apply dB Scaling

Applying dB scaling to XY plots

Application Pre/Post
Prerequisites A Simulation file as the work part and displayed partXY plot in the graphics window
Graphics window Double-click any axis
Location in dialog box X-axis Options, Y-axis Options, Z-axis Options, or Color-axis Options dialog box→Type tab→Axis group→Axis Type

Setting the default dB reference values

Application Pre/Post
Command Finder Customer Defaults
Location in dialog box SimulationPre/PostGeneralEnvironment tab→Decibel (dB) References group
How do I

Plot acoustic results (FEM acoustics)

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Scaling acoustic results, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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Source: https://docs.sw.siemens.com/en-US/doc/289054037/PL20200601120302950.advanced/xid1196303_v1 · retrieved 2026-07-17