Considerations of Aeroacoustics in Turbojet-Engine Testing

A study of the aeroacoustics of a turbojet-engine test cell has been performed as one step in the development of a computational aeroacoustics capability (CAA) that could provide guidance for the design and operation of such cells. Ground testing of turbojet engines in test cells necessarily involves very high acoustic amplitudes, often severe enough to cause damage to test-cell equipment and to engines under test. Heretofore, the acoustic responses of test cells containing energetic jets have been poorly understood and generally unpredictable. The CAA capability is intended to enable prediction of deleterious acoustic events, making it possible to design test cells and choose operating conditions to prevent damage and thereby avoid the costly interruption of test schedules.