SEA Model Development for Cabin Noise Prediction of a Large Commercial Business Jet 2017-01-1764

The demand for quieter interior cabin spaces among business jet customers has created an increased need for more accurate prediction tools. In this paper, the authors will discuss a collaborative effort between Jet Aviation and Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to develop a Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) model of a large commercial business jet. To have an accurate prediction, it is critical to accurately model the structural and acoustic subsystems, critical noise transmission paths, and dominant noise sources for the aircraft. The geometry in the SEA model was developed using 3D CAD models of major airframe and interior cabin components. The noise transmission path was characterized through extensive testing of various aircraft components in the Gulfstream Acoustic Test Facility. Material definitions developed from these tests became input parameters in the SEA model. Both ground and flight tests were conducted on the aircraft with an array of microphones to measure and map Sound Pressure Levels (SPLs) inside the aircraft. These SPL maps were then used to validate the simulated loads in the aircraft SEA model. In this paper, the test results, SEA model building methodologies, and correlation results for an unfurnished large commercial jet aircraft will be summarized.