Moscow State University has introduced a novel approach to evaluating how engine noise influences an airframe. This development came to light through the university’s press service.
During flight, an aircraft’s fuselage endures substantial stress from the airflow and the vibrations and oscillations that flow from it. The engine noise itself is a critical factor, capable of shaping the behavior of the airframe. Engineers must consider these acoustic effects when designing aircraft, using both theoretical analyses and wind-tunnel testing to quantify sound-induced vibrations.
MSU researchers carried out theoretical investigations into fuselage structure vibrations triggered by the acoustic field produced by engine jets. Their goal is to create methods that mitigate the impact of sonic booms in supersonic passenger aircraft. To map how acoustic loads transfer to the elastic finite element model of the airframe, they developed specialized software and calculated the dynamic response of the structure. The outcome allows designers to assess the strength of the airframe under operational conditions and its resistance to fatigue failure.
The work is especially relevant for the design of passenger supersonic aircraft. Dmitry Georgievsky, director of the Supersonic Center, explains that in standard aviation practice, the gas-induced acoustic load on aircraft structures is often viewed as negligible, leading to linear analyses and small-amplitude vibrations. Yet, for a supersonic airliner, portions of the fuselage still experience engine jet noise and endure significantly stronger acoustic loads, making more robust assessment essential.
In related historical research, archaeologists have explored the standardization of ceramic paints within the ancient Huari civilization in South America, illustrating how systematic studies of material properties can illuminate past technologies and craft practices. [MSU press service]