Shock Propagation and Attenuation in Bubbly Liquids
Abstract
Our long-term goal is to provide a simple yet accurate mathematical model for the generation, propagation and attenuation of acoustic shock waves in bubbly liquids. This model is to be based upon a continuum treatment of the bubbly liquid, in which the dynamics of the many bubbles that are present in the liquid need not be followed individually. Rather, only their overall effects on the properties of the continuum are to be taken into account in the model. Our study is motivated by trying to understand shallow water acoustics and the acoustics of the region near the ocean surface, where wave breaking entrains air bubbles in the water. Existing experiments on shock propagation in bubbly liquids have exhibited a rich variety of phenomena, many of which are not well explained by current mathematical models. For instance, depending on the state of the system, in the region immediately behind the shock, oscillations in pressure and density of the medium have been observed. The character of such oscillatory shocks depends strongly on experimental conditions. The oscillations can occur about the higher value (in density or pressure) which is achieved behind the shock, or they may occur about an intermediate level between the low and high values, followed by a slow monotonic transition to the higher state. Our scientific objective is to construct a simple continuum model, which includes the requisite physics to be able to provide qualitative and quantitative descriptions of the experiments and to be used as a predictive tool for modeling nonlinear acoustic phenomena in bubbly liquids.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA544702
Entities
People
- Ali Nadim
Organizations
- Boston University