A phenomenological approach to jet noise: the two-source model

This is a review of the two-source model of jet noise. The model was developed phenomenologically a number of years ago. One of the principal results associated with this model was the identification of two similarity jet noise spectra. This was accomplished through extensive comparisons with a large set of NASA spectrum data. It was found that these two noise spectra when combined appropriately would fit measured noise spectra of jets in any direction regardless of jet temperature and Mach number. Other experimental data in support of the two-source model have since been found. They are discussed in this paper. One of the purposes of this paper is to elaborate on the flow physics of turbulence, noise generation mechanisms and directivity that are the underpinnings of the model. More recent works show the similarity spectra are applicable, well beyond their original database, to noise of military jets, rockets and even volcanoes. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Frontiers of aeroacoustics research: theory, computation and experiment’.