Numerical analysis of acoustic radiation responses of shear deformable laminated composite shell panel in hygrothermal environment

In this article, the vibroacoustic responses of laminated composite curved panels subjected to harmonic point excitation in a combined temperature and moisture environment are investigated numerically using a novel higher-order finite-boundary element model. The hygrothermal dependent composite material properties are incorporated macroscopically in the formulation. The governing equations are derived using the higher-order shear deformation shell theory coupled with finite and boundary element approach. First, the Hamilton's principle is employed to obtain the stiffness, mass tensors and modal values of the vibrating structure subjected to hygrothermal stresses. The acoustic radiation responses are then computed by solving the Helmholtz wave equation discretized on the structure boundary using boundary elements coupled with the structural finite elements. Compared to those reported in open literature, the results for natural frequencies, critical buckling temperature, critical buckling moisture and sound power level values computed using the present scheme are found to be more accurate. The sound power values are also acquired via a simulation model implemented using commercial tools ANSYS and LMS. Virtual Lab and compared with present numerical results. The scheme is further extended to solve numerous numerical examples highlighting the influence of hygrothermal loads, geometry, curvature ratio, modular ratio, support conditions and lamination scheme on the hygro-thermo-acoustic responses of laminated composite shell panels.