Modelling Acoustic Wave Propagation in Axisymmetric Varying-Radius Waveguides

Abstract

A computationally fast and accurate model (a set of coupled ordinary differential equations) for fluid sound-wave propagation in infinite axisymmetric waveguides of varying radius is proposed. The model accounts for fluid heat conduction and fluid irrotational viscosity. The model problem is solved by expanding solutions in terms of cross-sectional eigenfunctions following Stevenson's method. A transfer matrix can be easily constructed from simple model responses of a given waveguide and later used in computing the response to any complex wave input. Energy losses due to heat conduction and viscous effects are also assessed.