Numerical analysis of aeroacoustic-structural interaction of a flexible panel in uniform duct flow

Accurate prediction of the acoustics of fluid-structure interaction is important in devising quieting designs for engineering systems equipped with extensive flow duct networks where the thin duct wall panels are in contact with the flowing fluid. The flow unsteadiness generates acoustic waves that propagate back to the source region to modify the flow process generating them. Meanwhile the unsteady flow pressure excites the thin panels to vibrate, which in turn modifies the flow processes. Evidently a strong coupling between the fluid aeroacoustics and the panel structural dynamics exists. Such coupled physical processes have to be thoroughly understood; otherwise, effective quieting design is never achieved. This paper reports an analysis, using a time-domain numerical methodology the authors have recently developed, of the nonlinear aeroacoustic-structural interaction experienced by a flexible panel in a duct carrying a uniform mean flow. With no mean flow, the numerical results agree well with existing theories and reveal the physics of duct transmission loss. Four regimes of aeroacoustic-structural interaction are identified when the duct flow velocity increases from low subsonic to low supersonic values. Insight in the underlying physics of duct transmission loss at different velocities are highlighted and discussed.