Numerical analysis of underwater acoustics in the presence of complex flow

Sound waves are the most crucial tool of communication and detection for underwater vehicles. Wave propagation in underwater environment is usually complex, especially in the presence of small-scale turbulence. Conventional wave-based approaches may be computationally prohibitive for performing accurate simulations in such environments. In this work, the Gaussian beam tracing (GBT) method is adopted for its advantages in terms of efficiency, robustness and accuracy. The characteristics of sound field generated by a two-dimensional line source under the influence of vortex is investigated. The effects of factors such as source frequency and vortex intensity are discussed. The results show that the non-uniform flow field induced by vortex has significant influences on the sound propagation.