Search

A thorough understanding of the scattering mechanism of Lamb waves at discontinuities is of interest for quantitative evaluation of structural properties and mode control. This study extends the generalized scattering matrix method to investigate the interaction of straight crested Lamb waves with multiple cascaded rectangular notches. Based on the orthogonality and completeness of Lamb modes, the mode matching method is utilized to determine the scattering matrices of downward and upward step discontinuities. After that, the generalized scattering matrix method is employed to determine the scattering matrices of a single rectangular notch and the recurrence relations between the scattering matrices of n + 1 cascaded notches and those of n cascaded notches. Finally, the scattering matrices of multiple cascaded notches can be easily obtained taking advantage of the recurrence relations. As the number of cascaded notches increases, more and sharper peaks appear in the scattering coefficient curves. The finite element simulations conducted in the time domain validate the theoretical results for cascaded notches with identical or different depths, which demonstrate that this method can be applied to find the scattering coefficients at piece-wise periodic or nonperiodic waveguides. The generalized scattering matrix method may have potential applications in quantitative nondestructive evaluation and mode control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we discuss two problems concerning scattering and localisation of flexural waves in structured elastic plates. Firstly, we compare the scattering amplitudes of waves in a thin plate, generated by a point source, due to a single mass and to a large number of smaller masses, having the same equivalent mass and located around a circle. We show that in the second case, the scattering can be reduced, in particular in the medium- and high-frequency regimes. Secondly, we develop a homogenised model for a double-ring cluster of spring-mass resonators, connected to an elastic thin plate. We determine the conditions for which the plate exhibits vibration modes trapped between the two rings. Further, we show that the frequencies of the localised modes can be tuned by varying the geometry of the two rings and the characteristics of the resonators. The analytical results are corroborated by numerical simulations performed with independent finite element models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the accuracy of analytical solutions to the fundamental anti-symmetric Lamb wave scattering at delamination in multilayered isotropic plates. The analytical models are based on the wave function expansion method and Born approximation within the framework of Mindlin plate theory. The study validates the accuracy of modeling the delamination as an inhomogeneity with reduced bending rigidity in predicting Lamb wave scattering induced by geometry change at the delaminated region. A good agreement is observed between the analytical solutions and results of experimentally verified 3D explicit finite element (FE) simulations. The findings support the inhomogeneity assumption in Lamb wave scattering problems and show the feasibility of employing it in delamination characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Guided ultrasonic wavefield measurements performed on quasi-isotropic CFRP laminate. • Scattering at artificial, ellipse delamination, located at an asymmetric depth. • Wave trapping on top of delamination and forward scattered wave verified. • Numerical, Finite Element simulations validated from experiments. • Parameter study of guided wave scattering at different delamination shape and depth. Carbon fibre composite laminates are increasingly being used for aerospace structures due to their low weight and improved mechanical performance. Impact damage can cause delaminations below the visible surface of the structure due to limited interlaminar strength. Guided ultrasonic waves can detect and characterize delaminations in composite laminates. The scattering of the A 0 Lamb wave mode at an artificial delamination, located at an asymmetric depth in a quasi-isotropic laminate, was investigated. Full field non-contact laser measurements were used to visualise wave trapping and scattered waves. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed and validated against the experiments. The influence of delamination shape and depth on guided wave scattering were studied. Small variations in delamination shape significantly affected the interference pattern on top of the delamination, but had limited effect on the scattered wave outside the delamination. Delamination depth was found to strongly influence the angular direction and amplitude of scattered waves. Implications for structural health monitoring were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since stringers are often applied in engineering constructions to improve thin-walled structures' strength, methods for damage detection at the joints between the stringer and the thin-walled structure are necessary. A 2D mathematical model was employed to simulate Lamb wave excitation and sensing via rectangular piezoelectric-wafer active transducers mounted on the surface of an elastic plate with rectangular surface-bonded obstacles (stiffeners) with interface defects. The results of a 2D simulation using the finite element method and the semi-analytical hybrid approach were validated experimentally using laser Doppler vibrometry for fully bonded and semi-debonded rectangular obstacles. A numerical analysis of fundamental Lamb wave scattering via rectangular stiffeners in different bonding states is presented. Two kinds of interfacial defects between the stiffener and the plate are considered: the partial degradation of the adhesive at the interface and an open crack. Damage indices calculated using the data obtained from a sensor are analyzed numerically. The choice of an input impulse function applied at the piezoelectric actuator is discussed from the perspective of the development of guided-wave-based structural health monitoring techniques for damage detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]