Theoretical model for sound transmission through finite sandwich structures with corrugated core

Due to the promising applications of lightweight double-leaf structures in noise control engineering, numerous investigations have been performed to study the vibroacoustic properties of these structures. However, no attention has been focused on the vibroacoustic properties of finite double-leaf structures with corrugated core used extensively in constructing the hulls of bullet passenger trains. In the present paper, a theoretical model is developed to predict the sound transmission loss (STL) characteristics of simply supported double-leaf partitions with corrugated core. The boundary conditions are accounted for by writing the displacements of the face plates in a series form of modal functions. The model predictions are validated by comparing with existing experimental measurements. The vibroacoustic properties of the sandwich construction are examined and the physical mechanisms for sound transmission through the structure explored, including the phenomena of 'coincidence resonance' and 'standing wave resonances'. The effects of structural links, structural dimensions, inclination angle of the corrugated core, as well as the thickness of face plates and core layer on the STL are systematically investigated. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.