Eccentricity effects on acoustic radiation from a spherical source suspended within a thermoviscous fluid sphere.

Acoustic radiation from a spherical source undergoing angularly periodic axisymmetric harmonic surface vibrations while eccentrically suspended within a thermoviscous fluid sphere, which is immersed in a viscous thermally conducting unbounded fluid medium, is analyzed in an exact fashion. The formulation uses the appropriate wave-harmonic field expansions along with the translational addition theorem for spherical wave functions and the relevant boundary conditions to develop a closed-form solution in form of infinite series. The analytical results are illustrated with a numerical example in which the vibrating source is eccentrically positioned within a chemical fluid sphere submerged in water. The modal acoustic radiation impedance load on the source and the radiated far-field pressure are evaluated and discussed for representative values of the parameters characterizing the system. The proposed model can lead to a better understanding of dynamic response of an underwater acoustic lens. It is equally applicable in miniature transducer analysis and design with applications in medical ultrasonics.

Natural frequency and damping ratio of a vertically vibrated surface foundation

It is possible and common to obtain equivalent natural frequency and damping for a soil-foundation system from results of experimental or numerical analysis assuming the system has a single degree of freedom. Three approaches to extract natural frequency and damping were applied to the vertically vibrated soil-foundation system. The sensitivity of the computed natural frequency and damping to the soil properties was evaluated through parametric studies. About 10-20% of discrepancy in values of natural frequency was observed due to different approaches. The results help to assess the reliability of equivalent soil properties determined from the reported natural frequency of the system. Finally the results obtained using theoretical predictions with linear soil properties measured in situ were compared to those calculated from experimental data. The prediction and experimental results showed good agreements if the embedment of the foundation is neglected with stepped sine test but considered with impulse test. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.