Finite element/boundary element modelling techniques applied to ring transducers with viscoelastic coating

Abstract

Many complex phenomena are involved in the operation of a submerged piezoelectric transducer. The applied alternating voltage across the electrodes causes mechanical vibration, which in turn causes sound to be radiated. Even the simple ring transducer exhibits all these complications. This paper explains how a combined finite element/boundary element modelling technique can be used to analyse the performance of these transducers. The ceramic and viscoelastic coating are modelled using the finite element method and the surrounding water is modelled using the boundary element method. The combined model is fully coupled. Using this approach, both transmit and receive sensitivities can be computed. Comparison is made with experimental results.