Reflection of acoustic waves from water/composite interfaces

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Theoretical and experimental results are presented for the reflection of acoustic waves from liquid-fibrous composite interfaces. For this purpose the composite is oriented such that the fibers are parallel to the propagation directions. Because of the complex microstructure of composites, continuity conditions exist on both the macro (water/composite interface) and micro (fiber/matrix interface) scales. Due to the number and nature of these conditions exact solutions are exceedingly difficult, if not impossible to obtain. As an alternative we formulate an approximate analysis in which the composite medium is replaced by a homogeneous, yet dispersive medium. In the process of replacing the composite with such a material model, the micro continuity conditions are utilized. The validity of the analytical model is verified by comparisons with experimental results obtained from graphite/epoxy and boron/epoxy composites specimens. Results are found to correlate very well with the analytical model, especially at low frequency ranges.