A Study of Acoustic Wave Resonance in Water-Filled Tubes With Different Wall Thicknesses and Materials

Abstract

Acoustic resonance of a fluid-filled tube with closed and open outlet ends for zero and turbulent mean flows is investigated both experimentally and numerically for different wall materials and thicknesses. The main goal is to create a data bank of acoustic wave resonance in fluid-filled tubes at a frequency range of 20–500 Hz to validate and verify numerical prediction models used by the nuclear industry and to determine if there is a better method with existing technology. The experimental results show that there is a strong effect of turbulent flow, wall material, and wall thickness on resonant amplitudes at frequencies above ∼250 Hz. A numerical investigation is performed solving the linear wave equation with constant and frequency-dependent damping terms and a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code. Comparing the one-dimensional (1D) and CFD results shows that CFD solution yields better predictions of both resonant frequency and amplitude than the 1D solution without the need for simplified added damping methods, which are required by the 1D methodology. This finding is valid especially for frequencies higher than ∼300 Hz.