Forward Scattering From a Rippled Sand/Water Interface: Modeling, Measurements, and Determination of the Plane Wave, Flat Surface Reflection Coefficient

In this paper, modeling results are presented demonstrating that, using an ensemble of forward-scattering measurements from a rippled sand/water interface, it is possible to accurately estimate the plane wave, flat surface reflection coefficient. The modeling effort was carried out in preparation for a sediment acoustics experiment in 2004 (SAX04). Guided by the modeling results, forward-scattering measurements were made during SAX04. The measurement instrumentation and procedure are presented. The plane wave reflection coefficients derived from these measurements are given and compared to reflection coefficients calculated using a fluid model and an approximation to the Biot porous medium model for the sand known as the effective density fluid model (EDFM). The model reflection coefficients were calculated using acoustic parameters determined from environmental measurements carried out by other researchers involved in SAX04. The reflection coefficient data/model comparison indicates that the sand at the SAX04 site is most accurately viewed as a porous medium for acoustic modeling purposes.