Experiments on the Excitation of Resonances of Elastic Objects by Acoustic Pulses and Theoretical Interpretation

Abstract

We have carried out tank experiments on the excitation of vibrational resonances of submerged elastic objects by incident short acoustic pulses. We have studied steel spheres, cylinders with hemispherical endcaps, and prolate as well as oblate spheroids. Theoretical interpretations of the resonance positions are provided by the matching of the phases of surface waves excited by the incident pulses, that encircle the object along closed paths. Some results of a French experimental study (G Maze and J Ripoche, University of Le Havre) are interpreted using the same approach.