Parameter uncertainty analysis on acoustic response in fluid filled poroelastic media

This paper examines the effect of input parameter uncertainty in the predic tion of acoustic response in ocean sediment. Due to the relatively large nu mber of physical parameters in the model, and the difficulty of their direc t measurement in the ocean environment, uncertainty in the predicted acoust ic response is expected. Utilizing a second order Taylor series expansion, this paper demonstrates a methodology for estimating the output uncertainty in terms of statistical moments from the input uncertainty. The methodolog y is then tied to a practical procedure that uses engineering measurements and empirical relations to determine parameters such as shear modulus, bulk modulus, and permeability, from porosity. A related issue of pore size dis tribution and its effect on acoustic response is also investigated. (C) 199 9 Acoustical Society of America. [S0001-4966(99)04207-1].