Discussion Forum

Hi,

I'm trying to simulate a 2-dimensional ultrasonic phased array transducer using piezoelectric materials. My goal is to see how much acoustic pressure I can generate in the target medium (water) by using the phased array to focus the ultrasonic waves.

I'm having a problem with the symmetry boundaries. Because I'm focusing the ultrasonic waves directly below my phased array, there are two symmetry planes that bisect my model, so I only need to simulate a quarter of the geometry. I'm assuming that if I simulate the model this way, and assign the apropriate symmetry boundaries in the pressure acoustics module, I can build a 2x2 array which will produce the focusing effect of a 4x4 array in the water, for example. Or in other words, the symmetry boundary essentially copies the model accross the symmetry boundary and I can get the focusing effect of my phased array for a fourth of the computation. The problem is I get the same pressure field in the water whether or not I assign symmetry boundaries. So it's obviously not doing what I think it should be doing. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Jace