Assessing sonic boom structural damage potential using structural-acoustic simulations

Abstract

The responses of a number of structures to sonic booms were obtained with dedicated flyovers and by means of both direct and reciprocal structural-acoustic simulations. The overall objective was to develop a cost-effective technique for assessing damage potential. Test results are briefly outlined in this paper. Methods and difficulties relating the measured response functions to the available damage criteria database are described. For one of the (sub)structures, an external window, both the strain and acceleration were recorded. Thus the tests provided an opportunity, under reasonably controlled conditions, for evaluating the practical applicability of Hunt’s findings regarding the relation between peak strain and velocity in forced, resonant, simple structures [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 32, 1123–1127 (1960)]. The limiting effects of uncertainties in defining the resonant mode type and shape and material parameters that are required to implement the relationship are discussed. [Work sponsored by Armstrong Lab., WPAFB, U.S. Air Force.]