Nonlinear acoustic behavior at a caustic - An approximate analytical solution

Abstract

The present paper discusses an approximate analytical solution to the nonlinear behavior of a discontinuous acoustic signal near a caustic. The Seebass transformation (1970) is refined to provide results which satisfy the governing equation to any prescribed accuracy, except across the shock wave produced by reflection of the simple wave at the caustic. The solution is approximate in the sense that the basic equation is satisfied wherever the solution is continuous but can satisfy only one of the two jump conditions at the reflected shock. The results give essential geometric features of the exact solution and provide a quantitative estimate of the strength of the so-called superboom.