An Experimental Examination of the Thermal and Acoustic Environments on Runway Joint Seals

Abstract : A test series was conducted at Edwards Air Force Base to determine noise and temperature environments that joint seal materials experience on an operational runway. Impingement of exhaust flow from jet engines creates an aerothermal environment for joint seal materials that contributes to, and accelerates, the deterioration and failure of joint seals. The aerothermal environment consists of noise (considered in this report as acoustically-induced as well as flow-induced fluctuations) and temperature. Current specifications for runway joint seal materials do not consider the effects of noise. The test data in this report show noise levels of 164 db at the joint seal surface. The conclusion is that the potential for energy transfer from exhaust flow noise is almost as high as the potential for energy transfer from exhaust flow temperature.