Visualization and analysis of acoustic scattering from elastic objects, on the surface and in the far field.

Abstract

In typical structural acoustic scattering problems, the surface pressure and normal velocity on the object are determined as well as the far-field pressure or target strength. These functions may be obtained by computation or measurement, and each may be a function of the surface coordinates as well as the direction and time or frequency characteristics of the incident wave. They are typically stored as a multidimensional array of (possibly complex) numbers. Modern visualization techniques greatly aid the analysis and understanding of these large data sets. An efficient architecture and relevant algorithms have been developed for this purpose using commercially available software and a typical workstation. A top-down approach to understanding and analyzing these data sets will be described. This includes spatial, spectral, and statistical processing of the fundamental data. The appropriate use of color, spatial coordinates of the display surface, and time animation will be illustrated with viewgraphs and videotape examples. [Work supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).]