A Detailed Study of Sound Reflections from a Layered Ocean Bottom

Abstract

The effect of layered sediments on sound reflection from the ocean bottom has been investigated theoretically and experimentally. Very detailed, systematic and computer -aided calculations of the reflection coefficient of a two-layer bottom are made, using well-known theory and varying the following parameters:(1) velocity and density contrasts; (2) layer thickness normalize d with respect to wavelength; (3) absorption in the sediments (in db/wavelength); (4) shear wave velocity in the lower layer. Calculations are made both for a harmonic source and for a broadband source analysed within certain bands around the harmonic source frequency. A series of curves is obtained representing the two-layer effect for a range of parameters that encompasses typical ocean bottom values. It is shown that absorption in the upper layer is of great importance in sound reflection, especially beyond a critical angle, but that moderate shear wave velocities have little effect. An octave band analysis of experimental data using a broadband source- tends to support this theoretical two-layer model.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 15, 1965
Accession Number
AD1114364

Entities

People

  • P. Stangerup

Organizations

  • SACLANT ASW Research Centre

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Seismology