Vibroacoustic characterization of a commercial airliner bulkhead

The commercial airliner bulkhead design candidate of concern is an internal divider wall consisting of an aluminum forward panel and liner aft panel sandwiching an array of closely spaced interstitial aluminum I-beams. The main purpose of the bulkhead, which separates the cargo bay from the occupied area, is to protect the crew from being compromised by cargo during a hard landing. Occupied area noise requirements also affect the bulkhead design as it is a primary path of noise transmission from the cargo bay. Vibroacoustic performance of the bulkhead analyzed with statistical energy analysis is supported by coupon testing of a representative bulkhead test section. Fibrous acoustic treatments were also evaluated experimentally for noise reduction potential. The experimental methods, results, and component level modeling complement each other by demonstrating a vibroacoustically appropriate bulkhead design and good bulkhead modeling practices.