This report discusses various aspects of the numerical solution of underwater acoustic wave propagation problems. In the first part of the report, a model propagation problem based on the two-dimensional Helmholtz equation with a variable sound speed is considered. A finite element computer code for solving such problems was implemented at NRL on the VAX 11/780. A distinctive feature of the code is the implementation of a recently developed iterative method for solving the resulting large, sparse, indefinite, non-self-adjoint system of equations. This allowed for the efficient solution of over 35,000 complex equations on a relatively small computer. Some of the results obtained after applying this code to the model problem are described. Furthermore, additional modifications that can be made to the code to improve its efficiency and extend its applicability to more general propagation models are discussed. In the second part of this report, the general situation of the coupled acoustic/elastic wave equation in two and three dimensions is considered. For example, this may correspond to an ocean environment in which there is ice on the surface as well as an irregularly shaped bottom structure. Finite difference and finite element methods for solving both the time harmonic and time dependent models are discussed. Various issues are considered that are important in determining the size of the problem that can be adequately treated. This includes the computer power as well as the mathematical and modeling techniques available. (Author).

Rough surface scattering is a problem of interest in underwater acoustic remote sensing applications. To model this problem, a fully three-dimensional (3D) finite element model has been developed, but it requires an abundance of time and computational resources. Two-dimensional (2D) models that are much easier to compute are often employed though they don't natively represent the physical environment. Three quantities have been developed that, when applied, allow 2D rough surface scattering models to be used to predict 3D scattering. The first factor, referred to as the spreading factor, adopted from the work of Sumedh Joshi [1], accounts for geometrical differences between equivalent 2D and 3D model environments. A second factor, referred to as the perturbative factor, is developed through the use of small perturbation theory. This factor is well-suited to account for differences in the scattered field between a 2D model and scattering from an isotropically rough 2D surface in 3D. Lastly, a third composite factor, referred to as the combined factor, of the previous two is developed by taking their minimum. This work deals only with scattering within the plane of the incident wave perpendicular to the scatterer. The applicability of these factors are tested by comparing a 2D scattering model with a fully three-dimensional Monte Carlo finite element method model for a variety of von Karman and Gaussian power spectra. The combined factor shows promise towards a robust method to adequately characterize isotropic 3D rough surfaces using 2D numerical simulations.