The vibration of a box-type structure II. Response to a travelling pressure wave

A finite element method is formulated for determining the transient response of a box-type structure to a travelling, arbitrarily shaped pressure wave. The method is illustrated by considering an example of practical concern-the sonic boom. The acceleration-time histories of a closed box are compared with those obtained experimentally from a simulated boom. Satisfactory agreement is obtained with only four rectangular elements per individual face and a simplified loading of the box.