Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

The main objective is to develop prediction tools and add-on sound acoustic protection of sandwich-composite fuselage constructions used in modern aircrafts. The environmental constraints, including (mass, size...) for aircraft comfort will have to be considered. For instance, because of the stiffness and core shearing in a sandwich-panel, high acoustic transmission is observed for these constructions. These high levels, especially at low frequencies, can be damaging to interior comfort. Current noise control approaches require heavier, thicker acoustic treatments and more damping. Development of more lightweight and efficient materials is thus needed. Due to the coupled nature of the structural-acoustic problem, the optimization of the acoustic transmission through the structure should be considered. This problem is challenging. State of the art modeling and testing techniques will be used. In particular, a real-life sandwich-composite fuselage section with windows, trim and floor panels, provided by Bombardier, will be used as a test rig to validate the developed numerical and experimental tools and demonstrate the performance of new designs. The structural-acoustic performances (joint optimisation of the composite, acoustic blanket, interior trim and attachment) in low-mid frequencies will be achieved. Of particular importance, the impact on interior noise from different types of blankets and isolator mounts will be investigated and optimized numerically and experimentally. A design guideline for composites, blankets, interior trim and isolators is the main project output. The project will benefit from collaboration with international experts within an EADS Astrium driven project named ""Development of an Acoustic protection for Ariane 6"". Because of the similarities of the studied structures and targeted objectives (enhanced low frequency performance of added acoustic blanket) and used numerical and experimental tools, this collaboration is a unique opportunity to go further in research on these generic aspects of the two projects (models development and validation); increase the state-of-the-art techniques for our industries competitiveness; and expose our students to multi-national R&D collaborative environments.