Finite-element modeling of depth and range dependent acoustic propagation in oceanic waveguides

Abstract

Finite-element models (FEMs) of ocean acoustic waveguides are capable of predicting the full wave solution including the effect of inhomogeneities and interfaces. However the method appears computationally feasible at present only for low to intermediate frequencies. The FEM discussed in this paper treats the radiation boundary condition involving multiple propagating modes using a penalty function approach. The effect of a point source has been represented as a pressure boundary condition on a small boundary surrounding the source. The FEM has been validated with a few examples of ideal waveguides. The FE results for a range and depth dependent parallel waveguide—an ASA benchmark problem [F. B. Jensen and C. M. Ferla, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 87, 1499–1520 (1990)]—compare well with published results.