Analysis of sound transmission loss characteristics of aircraft composite panel under variable temperature environment

Abstract

An improved sound transmission loss (STL) experimental technique based on the sound pressure method (SPM) and acoustic box method is proposed to investigate the temperature influence on the STL of the ribbed carbon fiber reinforced plastics aircraft panel. SPM principle is given. The measurement procedure of the improved STL technique is presented and its reliability is verified. STL variable characteristics of the panel within −40°C–40°C were measured. Results showed that temperature had a significant effect on the panel’s STL. The overall STL varied nonlinearly with temperature, whereas STL exhibited a fluctuation or monotony trend at a single center frequency. Temperature variation caused changes of STL peak/dip frequencies and redistribution of stiffness-controlled, resonance-controlled, coincidence-controlled, and damping-controlled regions. The causes of the aforementioned are given. This study reveals the relationship between temperature, thermomechanical parameters and STL. The findings have applications in the design, measurement, analysis, and theoretical development of composite structure acoustics.