Sound propagation over a large wedge: A comparison between the geometrical theory of diffraction and the parabolic equation

Low-frequency propagation over wedges, hills, and barriers is an important problem with many applications. Two different propagation models (the geometrical theory of diffraction and the parabolic equation) are used to compare the sound field generated by a steady single-frequency source in front of, over, and behind a large, rigid, V-shaped wedge. Predictions along the boundary made with both models at several frequencies are compared and found to be in excellent agreement. The results provide additional evidence that the parabolic equation is able to account accurately for propagation effects caused by terrain irregularities. (C) 1999 Acoustical Society of America. [S0001-4966(99)01007-3].