Acoustic scattering from stainless steel shells with varying wall thickness using a biomimetic click: Modeling and interpretation

Abstract

Using broadband click pulse, dolphins can discriminate cylindrical shells with subtle difference in wall thickness. In this study, finite element models were built to calculate the acoustic scattering from stainless steel shells with varying wall thickness. In order to further analyze the mechanism of interaction between click pulse and shells, the scattering field in fluid and the stress distribution in solid were calculated by transient solver in time domain. The simulation results show that the acoustic solid interaction leads to object resonance, and then the elastic waves radiate into surrounding fluid. Furthermore, there are significant differences among the elastic waves from different shells with varying wall thickness. It suggested that the crucial information about shell’s wall thickness is hidden in elastic echo. The results show a promising way to further understand the target discrimination in dolphin’s biosonar.