Analytical Study on the Rate of Sound Transmission Loss in Single Row Honeycomb Sandwich Panel Using a Numerical Method

Abstract

Honeycomb structures have recently, replaced with conventional homogeneous materials. Given the fact that sandwich panels containing a honeycomb core are able to adjust geometric parameters, including internal angles, they are suitable for acoustic control applications. The main objective of this study was to obtain a transmission loss curve in a specific honeycomb frequency range along with same overall dimensions and weight. In this study, a finite element model (FEM) in ABAQUS software was used to simulate honeycomb panels, evaluate resonant frequencies, and for acoustic analysis. This model was used to obtain acoustic pressure and then to calculate the sound transmission loss (STL) in MATLAB software. Vibration and acoustic analysis of panels were performed in the frequency range of 1 to 1000 Hz. The models analyzed in this design includes 14-single row-honeycomb designs with angles of −45°, −30°, −15°, 0°, +15°, +30°, +45°. The results showed that a-single row and −45°cell angle honeycomb panel in the frequency range of 1 to 1000 Hz had the highest STL as well as the highest number of frequency modes (90 mods). Furthermore, the panel had the highest STL regarding the area under the STL curve (dB∙Hz). The panels containing more frequency mods, have a higher transmission loss. Moreover, the sound transmission loss is more sensitive to the cell angle variable (θ). In other studies, the STL was more sensitive to the number of honeycomb cells in the horizontal and vertical directions, as well as the angle of cells.