TY - EJOU AU - Christov, Ivan AU - Christov, C.I. AU - Jordan, P.M. TI - Cumulative Nonlinear Effects in Acoustic Wave Propagation T2 - Computer Modeling in Engineering \& Sciences PY - 2007 VL - 17 IS - 1 SN - 1526-1506 AB - Two widely-used weakly-nonlinear models of acoustic wave propagation --- the inviscid Kuznetsov equation (IKE) and the Lighthill--Westervelt equation (LWE) --- are investigated numerically using a Godunov-type finite-difference scheme. A reformulation of the models as conservation laws is proposed, making it possible to use the numerical tools developed for the Euler equations to study the IKE and LWE, even after the time of shock-formation. It is shown that while the IKE is, without qualification, in very good agreement with the Euler equations, even near the time of shock formation, the same cannot generally be said for the LWE. KW - Compressible flows KW - shock waves KW - nonlinear acoustics DO - 10.3970/cmes.2007.017.047