Description:
<jats:p>The response of a simple cylindrical shell terminated by rigid endcaps to various axisymmetric mechanical excitations is determined using the SARA 2-D finite element code. By assuming that the response of the shell is primarily composed of structural waves, which satisfy the fluid-loaded shell equations, the structural wave reflection matrix of the endcap is determined through an over-constrained system of equations. Results for the frequency range, 2&lt;k0a&lt;6, show that for this type of endcap, the reflection process may be parametrized with a smooth function in frequency that is dependent on a small number of variables. Using a similar approach, the far-field radiation patterns of the endcap due to each incident structural wave type are also determined and parametrized. This work suggests that at mid frequencies and away from trace-matched angles, many of the essential elements of the axisymmetric elastic structural response of simple shells may be modeled using a one-dimensional ray picture where all the structural wave coupling and radiation is accounted for by a single reflection and radiation matrix at each endcap. [Work supported by ONR.]</jats:p>