Analysis of the Effect of Temperature on the Sound Transmission Loss of a Curved Plate

Abstract

Curved structures are used in many engineering applications. Temperature affects the performance of structural vibration and acoustics and can damage the equipment when its effects are severe. A theoretical model of the sound transmission loss (STL) of a simply supported curved plate considering the effect of temperature was established. Moreover, a numerical solution was obtained using the modal superposition method. The finite element results were compared to validate the theoretical model. The effects of temperature and acoustic loading on the modal frequency and STL were considered, and the variation laws of the radius of curvature, opening angle, and loss factor on the STL were analyzed. The results showed that the modal frequency increased with decreasing temperature, the frequency ratio of the same-order modal frequency varied approximately linearly with temperature, and the trough of the STL shifted toward high frequencies. The pitch angle substantially influenced the STL, whereas the azimuth angle was negligible. A larger radius increased the effect of temperature. In addition, an increase in the opening angle formed an aggregation of STL at (1, 1)-order modal frequencies. The loss factor affects only the amplitude of the trough position of the STL. Therefore, the proposed theoretical model can aid in the vibroacoustic design of curved plates in a thermal environment.