International Airgun Modeling Workshop: Validation of Source Signature and Sound Propagation Models—Dublin (Ireland), July 16, 2016—Problem Description

Computer models can be used to predict the sound field near an airgun or airgun array. The accuracy of such predictions can be assessed either by a process of verification (comparison with alternative theoretical solution to the same computational problem) or by validation (comparison with measurement). A set of verification test problems is described, as used originally by participants in the International Airgun Modeling Workshop held in Dublin, Ireland on July 16, 2016, and now by other authors in this special issue. The main inputs specified are the characteristics of the source (array geometry, airgun type and volume, and chamber pressure) and of the propagation medium (mainly water depth and bottom type). Also specified are source waveforms for individual airguns for authors wishing to focus only on the propagation aspects of the problem. The outputs are specified in terms of metrics derived from the sound pressure and sound particle acceleration.