Stealth is a major issue in naval defence. In this context, DCNS Research wants to know if locally-resonant acoustic metamaterials represent a technological breakthrough in comparison to current anechoic materials. We propose here a design of structures with randomly distributed spheres, based on a consequent parametric study. Samples of locally resonant materials were manufactured. Then, their acoustic response has been measured and compared to predictions based on multiple scattering theories. The presence of resonances and the impact of a non-null incidence angle have been highlighted. Finally, we developed a characterization method of the effective properties, from measurements of coefficients of reflection and transmission. Its design is based on an originally experimental setup. Difficulties coming from the retrieval of the dynamic mass density have been showed.
