Modelling the sound absorption of panels with tapered elliptic micro-perforations

Abstract

A theoretical model is developed in the present study to predict the spectral characteristics of the sound absorption of solid panels with tapered elliptic micro-perforations backed by a rigid wall cavity. In the model, plane wave propagation is assumed along the length of the perforation in the presence of a viscous boundary layer at the internal wall of the perforation. End impedances are approximated using results in existing literature. Validation is done using impedance tube measurements. It is confirmed that the present tapered elliptic perforation model can give much better agreement with experimental results than the conventional cylindrical perforation model for all micro-perforation configurations tested. Results also suggest the importance of perforation density in controlling the variation of sound absorption of the panel absorbers upon changes in perforation configurations.