The lattice Boltzmann method with applications in acoustics

An introduction is given to the lattice Boltzmann method and its background, with a view towards acoustic applications of the method. To make a larger range of acoustic applications possible, a point source method is proposed. This point source is applied to simulate cylindrical waves and plane waves, and is shown to give a very good numerical result compared with analytic solutions of viscously damped cylindrical and plane waves. Good results are found for simulations of Doppler effect, diffraction, and viscously damped standing waves. It is concluded that the lattice Boltzmann method could be suitable for simulating acoustics in complex flows, at ultrasound frequencies and very small spatial scales. The lattice Boltzmann method is shown to be unfeasible at lower frequencies or for larger systems.