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Optics and AcousticsAcoustics

Calculation of the Transition Matrix for the Scattering of Acoustic Waves from a Thin Elastic Spherical Shell Using the COMSOL Multiphysics Finite-Element Code

Authors: Ng K Chuan; NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA
Abstract:
In acoustics, the so-called Transition, or T-matrix relates the incident and scattered acoustic pressures of an object or scatterer. The T-matrix of a thin steel spherical shell in water has been determined by the COMSOL Multiphysics Finite-Element Code. The shell has an outer radius of 0.5m and a thickness of 1cm. It is driven at a frequency of 474 Hz such that ka=1 (where k is the acoustic wave number and a is the outer radius of the shell). A standing wave, represented by a spherical Bessel function, is incident onto the shell surface and the corresponding scattering coefficient is computed. The approach is divided into three portions. Firstly, a fluid-loaded rigid sphere is modeled using the Acoustic-Shell Interaction (ACSH) physics mode to examine the functionality of COMSOL. It also explores the degree of improvement when a refined fluid mesh is applied. Secondly, a thin spherical shell is modeled in the ACSH physics mode. This will examine the credibility of COMSOL to obtain accurate results based on thin shell approximation. Finally, a true 3D finite element, employing the 3D elastic theory, is created using the Acoustic-Structure Interaction (ACSI) physics mode. The resulting diagonal T-matrix elements achieved an accuracy of 0.1% relative to the analytical T-matrix. Ultimately, these results will be applicable to the modeling of the radiation from an arbitrarily densely-packed array of sonar transducers.

Limitations: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Description: Master's thesis
Pages: 53
Report Date: Dec 2011
Report Number: A395655
Keywords relating to this report:
ACOUSTIC WAVES
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
S MATRIX
THESES
TRANSITIONS
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