Analysis of sound absorption by periodic structures using a hybrid-boundary element/mode expansion method

An improved hybrid method is proposed for analyzing sound scattering by a periodic structure. Part of the scattered field formulated with the mode expansion method is combined with other components of the field formulated with the boundary integration method in one period of the structure. Structures treated by this method can have arbitrary periodic forms made of locally reactive boundaries and porous materials. The oblique incident absorption coefficient of the structure is obtained simply from the reflection factor calculated for each elemental wave of the scattered field. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated by the agreement between calculated and measured values of the normal absorption coefficient of some test structures.