Framework for predicting noise-power-distance curves for novel aircraft designs

Synodinos, AP; Self, RH; Torija Martinez, AJ

Abstract

Along with flight profiles, noise–power–distance curves are the key input variable for computing noise exposure
contour maps around airports. With the development of novel aircraft designs (incorporating noise-reduction
technologies) and new noise-abatement procedures, noise–power–distance datasets will be required for assessing
their potential benefit in terms of noise reduction around airports. Noise–power–distance curves are derived from
aircraft flyover noise measurements taken for a range of aircraft configurations and engine power settings. Clearly
then, empirical noise–power–distance curves will be unavailable for novel aircraft designs and novel operations. This
paper presents a generic framework for computationally generating noise–power–distance curves for novel aircraft
and situations. The new framework derives computationally the noise–power–distance noise levels that are normally
derived experimentally, by estimating noise level variations arising from technological and operational changes with
respect to a baseline scenario, where the noise levels are known or otherwise estimated. The framework is independent
of specific prediction methods and can use any potential new model for existing or new noise sources. The paper
demonstrates the methodology of the framework, discusses its benefits, and illustrates its applicability by deriving
noise–power–distance curves for an unconventional approach operation and for a future concept blended wing–body
aircraft.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 22, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Sep 6, 2017
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Dec 2, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 2, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Aircraft
• Print ISSN: 0021-8669
• Electronic ISSN: 1533-3868
• Publisher: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• Volume: 55
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 781-791
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C034466
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C034466
• Related Public URLs: https://arc.aiaa.org/journal/ja
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This paper describes a novel and robust framework to estimate noise outputs of new unconventional aircraft designs. This framework is highly relevant to assess the potential noise impacts of emerging aircraft technologies. This framework is one of the noise modelling tools highlighted in the Civil Aviation Authority report CAP 1766 ‘Emerging Aircraft Technologies and their potential noise impacts’ (http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP1766EmergingAircraftTechnologiesandtheirpotentialnoiseimpact.pdf). Invited to present this research at the Spring 2019 Acoustics Technical Working Group Meeting, April 9-10, Hampton, VA. PhD student has achieved a position of Acoustic Engineer at Airbus.; Funders : Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); Grant Number: EP/M026868/1