A phase of CORMA is related to acoustic calculation made by a dedicated software developed for the project.
Once the data of the boats (present in a given sea area) have been obtained, these are exported in the computer architecture based on algorithms-regressions, which allow to calculate and understand immediately the propagation of noise in a given sea area through an interactive map.
These algorithms have been developed on the basis of the numerical method of ray-tracing and the Finite Element method. The name of the used methodologies suggests their specificity, that is the assumption of the fragmented propagation of sound energy through rectilinear directions (sound rays).
In addition to the methods of diffusion of sound energy, in order to calculate the noise rate that propagates in the environment, it is necessary to take into account that the sound rays lose energy during their journey both by hitting the surfaces (that absorb and reflect a certain amount of them) and by crossing the air.
Regarding the source, this is defined by the radiated acoustic power and by the geometry of the propagation which is expressed, using the ray-tracing method, by the identification of the number of rays, their power and their direction.
In the CORMA project, the numerical methods of ray-tracing and Finite Elements have been applied following the principles of propagation of sound energy. The use of a database of acoustic sources by typology of vessel and the elaboration of the data in the post-processing phase has led to the development of algorithms based on regressions.
The combination of variables such as distance, temperature, salinity, depth with respect to the noise source and the absorption factor of the seabed, implemented on a calculation grid, led to an effective mapping of the underwater noise levels emitted in the gulf and of their dynamics in real time.
Once this mapping has been obtained, the calculated data is sent to the dedicated server for partner-sharing and the subsequent dashboard updating and results display.
