ABSTRACT
Model evaluation should be viewed as a process rather than a specific result. Such a description can provide useful insights into the benefits and shortcomings of model evaluation. The model evaluation program was administered by the acoustic environmental support detachment under Office of Naval Research sponsorship. In an effort to promote standardization, the US Navy established the acoustic model evaluation committee in 1987. Consequently, familiarity with the available field data that could possibly be used, and knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each data set are definite assets in model evaluation. Taylor provided specific examples to better illustrate practical applications of this diagram. Criteria for model evaluation can be segregated into five basic categories: documentation, verification, validation, maintainability, and usability. In the absence of comprehensive experimental data, underwater acousticians have explored the use of analytical benchmark solutions to assess the quality of numerical models.
