Modeling Hydroacoustics

Hydroacoustics is the study of sound generation and propagation in water.

See [82]. Sound comes from marine wildlife, by SONAR, and by ships [74]. A sound pressure wave moves through water at 1,484 m/s, over 4 times faster than the speed of sound in air. Also, due to slower dissipation sound can travel much longer distances underwater than is possible in air.

Setting Up a Hydroacoustics Analysis

Modeling hydroacoustics in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ is similar to the process for modeling aeroacoustics. Both types of simulation require that you model the full unsteady flow surrounding the geometry from which sound propagates [72]. However, for your hydroacoustics analysis, use the double precision version of Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to simulate the generation of acoustic waves in turbulent water flows. Also, in hydroacoustics, use a compressible liquid such as IAPWS-IF97 (Water) to model the transmission of sound.

To model sound wave propagation through water:

  • Launch the double precision version of Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
  • Choose an equation of state that supports compressibility.

    An IAPWS-IF97 (Water) model or a User Defined EOS model with compressibility enabled are both appropriate for hydroacoustics analyses.

  • Use the recommended analysis procedure for aeroacoustics to define a suitable mesh and time-step and solve the case in both the near-field and far-field.
NoteWhen setting up a hydroacoustics simulation pay special attention to the default acoustics properties, many of which use values for air. For instance, the Far-Field Sound Speed FW-H property is set to 340 m/s by default.