Work

An Adaptive Receiver-Grid Parameter Optimization Method for BELLHOP Based on Bathymetric and Sound-Speed-Profile Features

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Ray-based models have been extensively applied in underwater acoustic propagation modeling because of their favorable physical interpretability and engineering practicality. Nevertheless, in complex ocean environments, conventional acoustic propagation models still face several limitations, including low computational efficiency, empirically determined grid settings, and inadequate local refinement capability, which restrict their application in high-accuracy and high-efficiency simulations. To address these limitations, an adaptive receiver-grid construction method for the BELLHOP model is proposed in this study. The method adaptively adjusts receiver-grid spacings by using seafloor bathymetric features and sound-speed-profile gradient characteristics as the primary driving factors. Specifically, local grid refinement is introduced in the receiver-grid region of critical acoustic propagation areas, whereas relatively coarse grids are employed in non-critical regions, thereby improving acoustic-field resolution while reducing the overall computational cost. Simulation results show that the proposed method effectively improves the transmission-loss computation efficiency and spatial resolution of the BELLHOP model in complex ocean environments, thus providing a practical approach for rapid and high-precision underwater acoustic propagation modeling.

Source: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

DOI: 10.3390/jmse14080756