An Acoustic Reception Ability Analysis of SONAR Multilayer Structures by Using Elastic Theory

SONAR detection performance is one of the key survivability factors in underwater weapon systems. In order to catch the acoustic ability of SONAR, multilayer SONAR structures are analyzed using the elastic theory. The applied results for the simple models are compared with those from commercial program, ANSYS, and the reliable results are obtained. The analysis of sound pressure level (SPL) and echo reduction (ER) by the thickness change of multilayer SONAR structures are performed using the verified elastic theory. As the thickness of anechoic layer is increased, SPL is distributed evenly and ER is increased slightly with the frequency. In decoupling layers and steel layers, SPL are hardly changed and ER is slightly decreased with the thickness increase of those layers. SPL and ER are not affected by the thickness change of the carbon reinforced plastic (CRP) layer. Therefore, to improve the acoustic ability of multilayer SONAR structures, the thickness increase of the anechoic layer and minimization of the decoupling layer, steel layer and CRP layer are desirable.