Finite‐element methods applied to the propagation of acoustic wave along immersed wedges

Immersed in water, wedges can generate either propagating or radiating acoustic guided waves according to the value of the apex angle. The propagation of such waves is analyzed with the help of two methods based on finite‐element methods: a time analysis [A. C. Hladky‐Hennion et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 104, 64–71 (1998)] and a modal analysis for which an original numerical technique is suggested to describe the radiating (or supersonic) modes. The finite‐element results obtained with the two methods for brass and duraluminum wedges are compared to the experimental measurements. A good agreement is observed for either subsonic or supersonic regions.