Sonic booms and sonic thumps for non-specialists

Abstract

One of the most straightforward applications of nonlinear acoustics is in the long range propagation of the shock waves created by supersonic aircraft. The sounds heard on the ground are either loud (sonic booms) or are quiet (sonic thumps) depending on the pressure versus time signature. This talk with give a brief overview of sonic booms and the role nonlinear acoustics plays in their propagation. The carpet of sounds heard on the ground from an example single flight will be shown. The role of nonlinear acoustics in the certification of future supersonic low-boom aircraft will be highlighted. Much more information about sonic boom is freely available from ntrs.nasa.gov, and one great reference is “Sonic Boom” by Maglieri, et al. (NASA/SP-2014-622). [Work supported by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Office of Environment and Energy through ASCENT, the FAA Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and the Environment, Project 41 through FAA Award Number 13-C-AJFE-PSU under the supervision of Sandy Liu. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the FAA.]