High-Intensity Acoustic Test Facility Using Hydraulics

The hour-long duration acoustic fatigue tests at levels above 190 dB overall sound pressure level (OASPL) can be achieved with the required sound pressure level (SPL) spectrum using available test facilities with a hydraulic simulator, which operates at only 3 to 10 psi. Furthermore, the hydraulic control at the low frequencies is available, whereas there is a 50-Hz frequency cutoff for acoustic test facilities. Many structures have destructive low-frequency resonant modes which would be properly excited in the hydraulic facility and not in the acoustic facility.