A simplified pseudo-fluid model derived from biot theory through low grazing angle approximation

We propose an approximation technique with which the porous Biot model can be converted into a pseudo-fluid medium model, i.e., a medium represented by its sound speed and density. This technique begins from an analytic derivation of the reflection coefficient on a planar interface of fluid and porous ocean sediment. Invoking the low grazing angle approximation, useful for solving long range propagation problems, the pseudo-fluid medium is obtained. Alternate pseudo-fluid medium can be obtained through the weak frame approximation (Williams, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 110, 2276-2281, 2001). In this paper, we discuss the accuracy and limitations of the low grazing angle approximation by numerically comparing the reflection coefficient to the full Biot model cases as functions of various Biot parameters, frequency, and water sound speed. The usefulness of the present low grazing angle approximated pseudo-fluid medium in ocean wave propagation modeling is demonstrated by comparing the transmission loss results with that of the full Biot model.