Experimental Characterization of the Vibro- Acoustic Response of a Simple Residential Structure to a Simulated Sonic Boom

Experiments performed to validate a model used to predict the transmission of weak sonic booms into a residential building are discussed in detail. The experimental effort encompassed the construction of a simple structure that retains the essential characteristics of a residential building, the instrumentation of this structure, and the production of a realistic simulated sonic boom with the use of detonating cord. Vibro-acoustic data were collected using the simulated sonic boom as excitation. The sonic boom transmission mechanism was identified by analyses of the structural and interior acoustic cavity responses in conjunction with data from modal tests. These results are presented and discussed in detail.