Structural-acoustic optimization of a pressurized, ribbed panel

A method to reduce the noise radiated by a ribbed panel excited by turbulent boundary layer flow is presented. To compute the structural-acoustic response, a modal approach based on finite element/boundary element analysis was coupled to a turbulent boundary flow forcing function. A static pressure load was also applied to the panel to simulate cabin pressurization during flight. The radiated sound power was then minimized by optimizing the horizontal and vertical rib location and rib cross section using an evolutionary search algorithm. Nearly 10 dB of reduction was achieved by pushing the ribs to the edge of the panel.