Shear flow effects in a 2D duct: Influence on wave propagation and direct impedance eduction

Abstract

Impedance eduction of acoustic liners with flow is commonly performed under the assumption of a uniform velocity profile. In practice, the flow profile is not uniform and a significant mean flow shear is present close to the duct wall. The present paper aims to assess the validity of the uniform flow assumption, and more generally to study the effect of the mean flow shear on the impedance eduction process. This is particularly relevant when considering large ducts, high frequencies, high-order acoustic modes and flow velocities representative of aircraft engine nacelles. A numerical mode-matching model is used to compute the sound field in a 2D lined duct with different flow profiles. A detailed parametric study evaluates the influence of the mean flow shear on the axial wavenumbers of the acoustic modes and on the educed impedance. Various parameters are considered: the flow velocity profile (boundary layer thickness and mean Mach number), the direction of acoustic propagation relative to the flow, two different liner configurations and the presence of noise in the pressure data. A number of recommendations are given to achieve robust impedance eduction in large-duct facilities and at high-frequencies.