Shadowing by finite noise barriers Free

A technique is described for calculating the acoustical shadowing due to finite barriers. The method is an extension of the Biot‐Tolstoy rigorous closed form impulse solution for diffraction by an infinite rigid wedge [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 29, 381–391 (1957)]. By discrete Fourier transformation, spectral predictions for infinite plates or wedges are obtained which are about 3 dB closer to experimental results than previous theoretical estimates. Furthermore, the limitations of the Kirchhoff assumption are avoided and accurate predictions can be made for complicated finite barriers as well. Comparisons of theory and experiment are shown. [Work supported by ONR.]