Simulating the Response of External Stores on Aircraft Using Linear and Nonlinear Vibroacoustics

Abstract

One of the more severe environments for stores carried on high performance military aircraft is the external captive carry environment. This paper presents methods for simulating this environment using linear and nonlinear vibroacoustics. The store is modeled using linear finite elements, but the acoustics are modeled with linear or nonlinear finite elements depending on the level of acoustic excitation. Guidelines for when to use nonlinear acoustic elements are provided. The method is first compared to a diffuse acoustic field and then to actual flights.