Modeling and simulation of underwater acoustic propagation through a random distribution of ice blocks

Acoustic propagation through a random distribution of 1 m ice cubes, from 100 to 1000 Hz, was simulated in a 3D finite element model. The effective sound speed and attenuation as functions of frequency were calculated from the simulated signals. Attempts were made to fit a number of models to the wave speed and attenuation, including single scattering, lossy water, and Biot approximations. An extended Biot model, developed for acoustic propagation in granular seabed sediments, was able to fit the simulation up to 300 Hz. Beyond this frequency, the simulation shows that multiple scattering dominates.