Comparison of Sonic Boom Noise Metrics from Predictions and Measurements Under Low Atmospheric Turbulence Conditions

Six noise metrics have been identified as candidates for quantifying ground sonic boom levels from overflight of supersonic aircraft. Each of these metrics (PL, ASEL, BSEL, DSEL, ESEL, and ISBAP) has previously been investigated in meta-analyses using laboratory study data corresponding to perception of sonic booms in outdoor and indoor environments. These metrics are now computed and analyzed for a set of recorded outdoor sonic boom signatures under a low degree of atmospheric turbulence. Predictions of the ground signatures are also computed, without inclusion of turbulence effects, and metrics are compared between measurements and predictions. Metrics least sensitive to atmospheric turbulence effects are identified as potentially more robust for quantifying the sonic boom level from a supersonic aircraft.