Low frequency models for littoral sound propagation - a comparison between a finite element model and a wave number integration model

Two different strategies for modeling sound propagation, exploring the Helmholz equation, in underwater acoustics are presented and compared, a nite element and a wave number integration model. The numerical models incorporate both loss from the bottom, due to the sound interaction with the sea oor, and loss at the open ocean boundaries introduced by the need for a nite computational domain. To resolve a general bottom topography the nite element formulation is used. Good comparison between model results for the different models are documented for our idealized test cases.