Experimental and numerical study of air-coupled surface waves generated above strips of finite impedance.

A series of laboratory experiments are described in which air coupled surface waves are generated from a point source in the frequency range between 800 and 1700 Hz above a surface composed of a lattice of small cavities. Since the sound pressure near the lattice of cavities can be greater than if the surface was rigid, passive amplification is obtained. Moreover, directional receivers can be designed by restricting the lattice of cavities to a strip of finite width. These directional receivers are shown to provide more amplification than would be obtained with a semi-infinite lattice of cavities. Theoretical calculations using a boundary element method predict gains of up to 6 dB, relative to the pressure on a rigid plane when the strip width is of the order of 1 wavelength. The strips are further modified by changing their shape or by adding reflectors to further enhance the amplification. Gains of 12 dB have been measured and predictions show that gains of 20 dB are theoretically possible.