Going round the bend: reflection and transmission of long waves by waveguide corners and labyrinths

Long-wave asymptotic approximations are developed for two-dimensional acoustic waves along rigid ducts. The waves are scattered by obstacles, constrictions, bulges and/or bends. Matched asymptotic expansions are used, requiring the calculation of blockage coefficients, which are defined in terms of the solution of related potential-flow problems. The emphasis is on estimating reflection and transmission coefficients, correct to first order in the ratio of the waveguide width to the wavelength. Detailed results are given for sharp bends of arbitrary angle, including right-angled bends and hairpin bends. Applications to multiple scattering by labyrinthine structures are also made.