Active control of sound radiation due to subsonic wave scattering from discontinuities on fluid-loaded plates. I: Far-field pressure

Active control of sound radiation due to subsonic wave scattering from discontinuities represented by a line constraint or by a uniform reinforcing rib positioned on a fluid-loaded infinite plate is analytically studied. The mathematical models are based on the plate vibration and sound radiation due to a line force or a line moment solved in the spectral k domain. For simplicity, the far-field pressure is estimated by the stationary phase approach. Feed-forward control is achieved by adding secondary line forces applied to the plate near the discontinuity. The amplitudes of control forces are determined by the optimal solution of a cost function that integrates the far-field radiated acoustic intensity in a semicylindrical space around the discontinuity. The results show that for subsonic incident waves, high reduction in radiated pressure due to spectral wave scattering at the discontinuities is possible with two active control forces located near the discontinuity. The amount of sound reduction as well as the residual directivity pattern is shown to depend upon the number and location of the control forces.