Applied Underwater Acoustics

8.6. Sediment Geoacoustic Properties

Edwin Hamilton published his classic approach to geoacoustic modeling during the 1960s to 1980s. These mostly empirical models include values and gradients of compressional and shear wave speed and attenuation and bulk density of sediment layers down to and including the basement. These physical models were mostly developed in support of lower-frequency ASW applications. In his article Hamilton [2] provides an excellent summary of his previous work. Near-surface sediment geoacoustic properties were measured in situ or using laboratory measurements from core samples and included Hamilton's own measurements and an extensive review of the literature. Hamilton provided a series of tables for near-surface sediment ...