Laboratory studies of near-grazing impulsive sound propagating over rough water

Abstract

Acoustic impulses due to an electrical spark source (main acoustic energy near 15kHz) have been measured after propagating near to the water surface in a shallow container resting on a vibrating platform. Control of the platform vibration enabled control of water wave amplitudes. Analysis of the results reveals systematic variations in the received acoustic waveforms as the mean trough-to-crest water wave amplitude is increased up to 7mm. The amplitudes of the peaks corresponding to specular reflections are reduced and the variability in the tails of the waveforms is increased.