The coupling of the A(0) and interface Scholte modes in fluid-loaded plates

In a recent Letter by Dickey et al.,(1) the velocity dispersion curve for the A(0) mode for a fluid-loaded plate shows a splitting. However, this dispersion curve is incomplete and cannot reveal the reason for this anomaly. The nature of this anomaly has been investigated and the complete dispersion curve is presented. It is believed that this anomaly occurs because of the coupling of the A(0), antisymmetrical zeroth mode, and the AS, antisymmetrical interface Scholte wave, The strength of this coupling depends on the ratio of the density of the loading fluid to the density of the plate material. The results of this numerical investigation for a solid plate loaded on the top and bottom surfaces with the same fluid and two different fluids are also presented. (C) 1996 Acoustical Society of America.