Engineering topics

William Jeffrey Doebler

Publications and source records attributed to William Jeffrey Doebler.

4 records

NASA NTRS2022

Simulation and Application of Bayesian Dose Uncertainty Modeling for Low-Boom Community Noise Surveys

In dose-response modeling, failing to account for dose uncertainty can cause artificial flattening of the estimated slope of the dose-response curve. Previous analyses of NASA sonic boom community noise survey data utilized a Bayesian multilevel logistic regression model, which did not account for dose uncertainty. The current work extends the model to account for either classical or Berkson dose uncertainty. The extended model is applied to two simulated dose-response datasets to illustrate conditions under which the dose uncertainty term does and does not correct for the artificial flattening introduced by dose uncertainty. Finally, the extended model is applied to two previous NASA sonic boom community noise surveys. The resulting dose-response curve slope for the average participant is 5 to 10% steeper, but the difference in the noise dose that elicits a 5% highly annoyed response is small (less than 1 dB). The difference remains insignificant when producing population summary dose-response curves. Commentary is included on applicability to future X-59 low-boom community noise survey data modeling and analysis.

X-59↗

NASA NTRS2021

Simulations and case study of X-59 low-booms propagated through measured atmospheric profiles

NASA's X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft will soon be used to collect data to support the development of a dose-response relationship between low-boom level and human perception. The X-59's low-boom level will depend on aircraft conditions and trajectory, which can be controlled, and on atmospheric conditions, which cannot be controlled. To assess variability in low-boom levels produced by realistic atmospheres, NASA's PCBoom code was used to simulate propagation of an X-59 nearfield pressure condition through atmospheric profiles measured during NASA's Quiet Supersonic Flights 2018 (QSF18) test. Despite QSF18 lasting only 11 days, substantial weather variability occurred including snow and record high temperatures. A PL range of about 8.5 dB was predicted due to the QSF18 atmospheric variability. These results demonstrate the necessity for X-59's flight condition to be adjusted based on atmospheric conditions in order to achieve desired loudness levels during community surveys. Undertrack booms' Perceived Levels (PL) were predicted not to exceed 75 dB, X-59's target level in a standard atmosphere. Attenuation rate, ray tube area, path length, and other quantities are presented throughout propagation for the atmospheres that produce the loudest and quietest booms. Humidity differences below 15kft were a primary driver of the PL differences.

X-59↗

NASA NTRS2021

Estimated Ambient Sonic Boom Metric Levels and X-59 Signal-to-Noise Ratios across the USA

NASA is building the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft to produce low noise sonic booms for a series of community noise surveys across the USA. Survey participants will rate their perception of the low-booms from supersonic X-59 flyovers. Several noise metrics are proposed to quantify the noise dose: A-, B-, D-, and E-weighted Sound Exposure Level, Stevens Perceived Level, and Indoor Sonic Boom Annoyance Predictor. Sparse measurements across the survey area will be used to estimate community noise exposure. The level of these low-booms may be comparable to the ambient noise level in some locations, leading to uncertainty in noise exposure estimations. This uncertainty may necessitate increased reliance on sonic boom propagation predictions for exposure estimation. Low-boom signal to ambient noise ratio is one way to quantify uncertainty in measured sonic boom levels. An empirical relationship between A-weighted ambient level and sonic boom metric levels is used in conjunction with the National Park Service’s L50 SPL map to estimate ambient noise levels expressed in terms of sonic boom noise metrics across the USA. These estimates of ambient levels will aid in X-59 community test planning and execution. The signal-to-noise ratio for the undertrack X-59 sonic boom is also estimated, and an example application of these data is presented for comparing potential noise monitor sites prior to a community noise test.

X-59↗

NASA NTRS2020

How Loud is X-59's Shaped Sonic Boom?

NASA’s X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology low boom flight demonstrator aircraft is designed to produce a shaped sonic boom or “sonic thump” of 75 dB Perceived Level (PL) at the ground. One communication challenge that NASA’s Low Boom Flight Demonstration Mission faces is how to describe the sonic thump to the public, most of whom have never heard a sonic thump or a sonic boom. Furthermore, the public is unfamiliar with the acoustic metrics such as PL used to describe impulsive sounds. One technique to describe unfamiliar sounds using words and graphics only is to put them in the context of more familiar sounds, both in terms of acoustical level and in terms of sound type (continuous vs. impulsive). In this work, a database of recordings of familiar impulsive noise sources at known distances and their associated PL values was assembled and is available online. The comparison of these sounds can be framed as a “thermometer” of acoustic levels. An example acoustic thermometer graphic is presented. Additionally, the impulsive sounds’ one-third octave band sound pressure levels and sone spectra are compared to that of a simulated X-59 ground waveform. These show the origin of differences in the PL of each sound.

sonic boom↗