Acoustics-Solid Interaction

A Tutorial Model

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 Introduction
• This model provides a tutorial on modeling the interaction of sound with
elastic, solid structures .
• This provides a good description of the interaction of acoustical signals
(sound) with most everyday objects: Liquid/gas acoustics coupled to
structural objects have applications in for example:
– loudspeakers
– acoustic sensors
– nondestructive impedance testing
– medical ultrasound diagnostics of the human body
 Introduction, continued
• Full coupling between the acoustical medium (liquid/gas) and the solid
allows for realistic simulation of the full range of functionality. As an
example, full acoustic-solid interaction simulations of loudspeakers would
include the force imposed on the membrane as it moves the air to produce
the acoustics; this, in turn, has impact on the membrane mechanics.
• This model focuses on a single application to illustrate the modeling
process, and does not provide an exhaustive illustration of the
acoustics-solid interaction capabilities of COMSOL.
• In case of doubt, please contact support@comsol.com with questions
regarding the feasibility of your acoustic-solid simulation needs.
 Model Definition
• Model: aluminum cylinder immersed in a (very big) Incident plane wave
Water, acoustics domain
water bath exposed to incident acoustic wave (sound).
• Water surroundings are modeled with acoustics
equations (Helmholtz equation). Scattered wave
• The structural harmonics of the aluminum cylinder are
calculated from a linear elastic material model.
• Full coupling between acoustics and solid mechanics:
the solid mechanics boundary load is given by the
acoustic pressure, while continuity of normal
acceleration from solid to fluid ensures correct
modeling of impact of the structure on the fluid. Aluminum cylinder,
3D solid stress-strain domain
 Results
• Pressure field (color) and displacement (arrows).

Propagation direction
 Comparison:
Completely Hard (Inelastic) Cylinder Wall
• As a comparison, a simpler reference case with a hard wall is calculated.
This means that the mechanics of the solid are ignored, which in turn
implies that there is no coupling back between the mechanics and the
acoustics.
• This comparison illustrates the influence of the acoustic-solid coupling in
determining the final results.
 Results
• For the hard wall (blue), the standing
Propagation direction
wave amplitude is higher on the impact
side and lower on the shadow side.
• The energy transmission is thus lower
for the hard walled cylinder.
• Conclusion: The mechanical properties
of a solid metal influences the acoustic
signature around it.