Time-domain solver in curvilinear coordinates for outdoor sound propagation over complex terrain

Abstract

The current work aims at developing a linearized Euler equations solver in curvilinear coordinates to account for the effects of topography on sound propagation. In applications for transportation noise, the propagation environment as well as the description of acoustic sources is complex, and time-domain methods have proved their capability to deal with both atmospheric and ground effects. First, equations in curvilinear coordinates are examined. Then time-domain boundary conditions initially proposed for a Cartesian coordinate system are implemented in the curvilinear solver. Two test cases dealing with acoustic scattering by an impedance cylinder in a two-dimensional geometry and by an impedance sphere in a three-dimensional geometry are considered to validate the boundary conditions. Accurate solutions are obtained for both rigid and impedance surfaces. Finally, the solver is used to examine a typical outdoor sound propagation problem. It is shown that it is well-suited to study coupled effects of topography, mixed impedance ground and meteorological conditions.