Numerical and analytical studies of attenuation coefficient in 2D matrix-inclusion composites with randomly distributed circular inclusions

This paper studies the analytical and numerical evaluation of the scattering-induced attenuation coefficient of elastic waves in 2D matrix-inclusion composites with a random distribution of inclusions. An analytical self-consistent homogenization method is recalled to estimate the phase velocity and attenuation coefficient. Afterward, a finite element-based numerical approach is introduced for calculating the phase velocity and attenuation coefficient. The analytical and numerical results are compared for different area fractions and inclusion sizes, and the limitations of both methods are investigated. It is shown that the results are in good agreement when the area fraction of inclusions is less than 10%. Due to the limitation of the analytical approach, the numerical method is used for obtaining the attenuation coefficient of a particular 3D-printed composite with a quasi-incompressible matrix used for replicating the biological tissues in ultrasonic imaging.