Proposition and recommendations on a source localization method for popping noise in large window frames based on the analysis of lamb waves propagation

Complaints concerning popping noises issued by thermal movement have increased due to use of large window frames with energy-efficient glazing. This phenomenon can have multiple causes and is usually addressed by trial-and-error adjustments without knowledge of the problem location. We propose recommendations for accelerometers positioning and a source location detection method based on the analysis of Lamb waves propagation signals measured on two in-situ aluminium frames. The method processes information carried by the S0 and A0 modes to estimate the problematic areas. Processing is done in temporal and temporal-frequency domain to decompose the signal into its S0 and A0 components. It shows that most of the energy is carried by the A0 wave while the S0 wave propagation time, due to non-dispersive characteristic at frequency * width of concern, can be used for source location detection based on wave front time of arrival detection. The wave speed in the window frame is measured in-situ from the popping noise and is in good agreement with the theoretical values.