Prediction of turbulent boundary layer induced noise in the cabin of a BWB aircraft

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Rocha, Joana | Suleman, Afzal | Lau, Fernando

Affiliations: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada | Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica (Aeroespacial), Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: jdarocha@uvic.ca

Abstract: This paper discusses the development of analytical models for the prediction of aircraft cabin noise induced by the external turbulent boundary layer (TBL). While, in previous works, the contribution of an individual panel to the cabin interior noise was considered, here, the simultaneous contribution of multiple flow-excited panels is analyzed. Analytical predictions are presented for the interior sound pressure level (SPL) at different locations inside the cabin of a Blended Wing Body (BWB) aircraft, for the frequency range 0–1000 Hz. The results show that the number of vibrating panels significantly affects the interior noise levels. It is shown that the average SPL, over the cabin volume, increases with the number of vibrating panels. Additionally, the model is able to predict local SPL values, at specific locations in the cabin, which are also affected with by number of vibrating panels, and are different from the average values.

Keywords: Turbulent boundary layer, aircraft cabin noise prediction, fuselage panels

DOI: 10.3233/SAV-2011-0660

Journal: Shock and Vibration, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 693-705, 2012