Abstract
The scattering of an acoustic wave from an absorbing half-plane coupled with an elastic half-plane is considered. The planes are subjected to heavy-fluid loading where the coupling between the fluid and the plate motions is significant. It is observed that the scattered field consists of a subsonic surface wave (Biot-Stoneley wave) traveling along the elastic plate and an edge diffracted wave. The effect of absorption on the scattered field is shown explicitly in terms of the absorbing parameter.