Search

The application of machine learning techniques based on Lamb waves for structural health monitoring of composite material damage has been widely adopted. However, this method often struggles to acquire sufficient labeled historical Lamb wave signals for training machine learning models. This issue can be addressed through the implementation of transfer learning. This paper proposes a data-driven transfer learning model for locating coordinates of damage areas in plate-like structures with complex geometric features such as rivets and grooves. Based on the differences in conditional distributions in various structural health monitoring scenarios, a Cross-Component Regression for Damage Localization Model (CRDM) is introduced for damage localization across components. Due to the limited availability of labeled target data, CRDM aims to preserve global properties of the target data-dominated conditional distribution, besides considering the predictive accuracy of individual samples. Therefore, a hybrid loss function is constructed by combining Mean Squared Error (MSE) and Conditional Embedding Operator Difference (CEOD). Subsequently, the target model is fine-tuned based on this loss function. Experimental validations are conducted on finite element models and real datasets, confirming the effectiveness of the CRDM model in damage localization for plate-like structures. • Lamb waves are employed to assess the damage in CFRP composite material plate structures. • The influence of external conditions on Lamb waves is taken into consideration. • Transfer learning based on regression problems is utilized to predict the damage location. • The model is fine-tuned from a mapping-based perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Semi-analytical approach presenting derivation of the scattering matrix related to the region with adhesively bonded joint. • Effect of the energy balance convergence of local sub-waveguide sections on the global scattering matrix. • Effect of the number of considered complex wavenumbers entering the computational process on the predicted results accuracy. Problems related to scattering phenomena of the antisymmetric fundamental Lamb wave mode with an adhesively bonded lap joint containing a disbond in the adhesive layer is being solved within the framework of this paper. Overall, two methods are used in order to identify energy scattering coefficients of reflected as well as transmitted Lamb waves. These methods include a hybrid approach, which incorporates the finite element method (FEM) with general orthogonality relation, and semi-analytical approach, combining the modal expansion technique and orthogonal property of Lamb waves. With the use of the stress and displacement continuity condition on selected interfaces, it is possible to explicitly derive the global scattering matrix, containing the information related to the scattering process of present Lamb wave modes in a given geometry. Both approaches are then adopted on three configurations of the adhesively bonded lap joint in terms of the length of the disbond, which is then positioned within the overlapped region. The obtained results, among others, clarify the relationship between geometric parameters of the region containing the overlapping with the horizontal disbond and the role of non-propagating modes in the computational process of energy scattering coefficients of propagating modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the asymptotic stress and displacement solutions related to mixed mode I/II loading are calculated in the vicinity of the V-notches with end holes (VO-notches). After deriving the asymptotic stress and displacement fields, in order to calculate the coefficients of the series, a numerical technique called the over-deterministic method is utilized. According to the over-deterministic method, the unknown coefficients are calculated by fitting the asymptotic displacement field to the nodal displacement values. To show the accuracy of the derived asymptotic stress series and the effectiveness of higher order terms, the Brazilian disk specimen is modeled using finite element analysis. Different examples under pure mode I, pure mode II and mixed mode I/II loading for three different notch opening angles and four notch tip radii are considered and the coefficients of stress series are computed for each example. Finally, the obtained coefficients are used to compare the stress distribution of the truncated stress series with its relevant finite element values. The results show that considering the singular terms alone will generate large amounts of errors while very good accuracy could be achieved by considering the higher order terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The paper deals with numerical and experimental investigations aimed to develop a Finite Element (FE) model for predicting wave propagation in a blended composite winglet. Material anisotropy, inhomogeneity, multi-layered configuration and complex geometries tend to increase the complexity of the wave propagation phenomena and consequently the development of established FE models. Moreover, even if 2D finite elements seem to be not appropriate for modelling guided waves propagation, especially for complex anisotropic structural components, they are more attractive than 3D ones, because of the computational cost saving. For this reason, part of the presented research activity is addressed to investigate the efficiency of shell finite elements in modelling guided waves propagation in a such complex structure as a winglet. The development of an efficient model depends also on the numerical characterization of the medium within which guided waves propagate through. As a consequence, preliminary simple experimental bending and modal tests have been carried out to support the material properties modelling. Subsequently, guided wave propagation FE analyses were performed and the results compared with provided experimental data. A good agreement between numerical and experimental results of the different analyses has been achieved in terms of both signal time of flight and amplitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper presents a theoretical, numerical and experimental analysis of Lamb wave propagation and joint-debond identification in an advanced composite structure with core-junction. In the process, the wave modes in the recorded sensor-signals are effectively identified based on the theoretically obtained time-history response and dispersion curves for the sample structure. In order to study the core-junction and joint-debond effects, the finite element based numerical simulations were carried out in ABAQUS and the results verified with laboratory experiments. It was observed that the presence of core-junction in the structure reduces the propagating Lamb wave mode amplitudes, whereas the presence of localized joint-debond significantly increases the modal amplitudes. The study was further extended for the analysis of variable core-junction thickness and joint-debond size effects on the amplitude difference between the baseline and affected Lamb wave signals. Finally, a baseline-free debond detection strategy is proposed for the detection of hidden joint-debond locations in the target structure. Highlights • Lamb wave based analysis of core-core joint and joint-debond effects in an advanced composite structure are presented. • Presence of core-junction in the sandwich composite structures substantially reduces the wave mode amplitudes. • The increase in adhesive bond thickness further decreases the A0 mode amplitudes. • Presence of joint-debond at the core-junction significantly amplifies the propagating Lamb wave modes. • The increase in joint-debond size leads to a further increase in A0 mode amplitude. • A SHM strategy is proposed to effectively locate such joint-debond locations in the advanced composite structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Elastic guided wave based evaluation is useful to detect delamination in composites. This paper reports a detailed account of guided wave interaction with delamination in laminated composites modeled using time domain spectral finite element (TSFE) method. Wave scattering due to different delamination positions is studied. Wave field near the delamination in different layer-wise positions is investigated, which is useful to further characterize and correlate the far field wave packet carrying the parametric signature of delamination. Off-axis delamination in composite laminate creates an asymmetry in the elastodynamic stress transfer. It leads to wave mode conversions. Sensitivity of the delamination to the wavelengths is studied. The outcome of this study indicates potential possibilities to use frequency-wavelength information to discriminate various sizes of delamination. Energy of the scattered waves and dissipation/conversion of the wave energy due to the defects depend on the resonance characteristics of the sub-laminates. Wave scattering effect due to length-wise multiple delaminations and edge delamination is also analyzed. The resonance patterns in the signals are analyzed with reference to the defect quantification problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, two numerical procedures based on Finite Elements Method (FEM) have been developed in order to simulate the Lamb wave propagation in Low Velocity Impact (LVI) damaged CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer) laminate. The former (softening representation), usually adopted in literature, consists of modelling LVI damages by lowering the elastic material properties which allowed investigating the Lamb wave propagation at different stages of LVI damages evolution. The latter, proposed in this paper, conversely to the first one and the most of techniques presented in literature, consists of simulating Lamb wave propagation in a plate characterized by an initial stress-strain state and the related failures carried out by a previous impact simulation involving the same model. Such technique allows a better damage modelling and, consequently, overcoming the damage modelling approximations introduced by the former strategy; the lowering of the elastic material properties leads to a bad damage modelling which does not allow reproducing accurately what happens in the reality. Such procedure allowed investigating the Lamb wave propagation at different impact energy levels. The interaction between Lamb waves and damages has been investigated under three central frequencies of the actuation signal: 150 kHz, 200 kHz and 250 kHz which resulted in interesting observations to minimize the effect of the first lamina's fibres orientation on the wave propagation velocity. It is well known that different wave propagation velocities along fibres and matrix lead to different RMSD (Root Mean Square Deviation) damage index values, even if the sensors are mounted at the same distance from the damage location, resulting in wrong or less accurate information about the identification of both damage size and location during the post-processing phase. Moreover, the relationships between the RMSD damage index values, recorded at different instants of time of the impact history, and the impactor phases has been achieved. Finally a comparison between the results achieved by the two investigated strategies has been carried out and presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper two techniques: the zero-crossing and the spectrum decomposition are implemented together to obtain the guided waves phase velocity and their dispersion properties. This proposed hybrid technique has been investigated in two different mediums: an homogenous using signals obtain by 2D finite element modeling and experimental investigation and a non-homogenous environment using 3D finite element model. The results are compared with those obtained by the semi-analytical finite element method (SAFE). It was demonstrated that in the case of correctly selected filters the dispersion curves are reconstructed in approximately 90% for the Lamb wave A 0 mode, for the non – dispersive S 0 mode up to 81% of the incident signal frequency bandwidth in a homogeneous medium. In the case of non-homogenous CFRP plate the phase velocity dispersion curve of the A 0 mode can be reconstructed even up to 96% incident frequency bandwidth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigates the interaction of shear and Lamb waves with different kinds of defects in plates, in view of applications to defect characterization purposes. Using a finite element model, the reflection and transmission coefficients of shear and Lamb waves are determined, as a function of size parameters of the defect related to its extension and depth. Notches with elliptical and rectangular profile are examined, together with internal voids, covering both symmetric and asymmetric cases. Low and high frequency times height (2hf) regimes are considered in order to clarify how mode conversion can provide information on the shape of the defect. In this regard, also the role of symmetric and asymmetric waves is elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a delamination damage detection technique based on the nonlinear response of Lamb waves in composite laminates. In the approach, a network of transducers is employed to sequentially scan the structure by actuating and receiving dual guided waves. Using combined frequency waves originated due to contact nonlinearity when the incident dual frequency wave interacts with the damage, a damage localization imaging algorithm is proposed to locate the damage and determine the damage location. The proposed damage localization imaging algorithm is based on analysing the cross-correlation of the signal envelope at combined frequency wave with the excitation pulse envelope at incident waves for each transducer pair, the damage localization image is constructed. A numerical study using an experimentally validated finite element model is used to verify the proposed damage detection technique. The results of the numerical study show that, despite the small amplitude of the nonlinear components, the proposed method can effectively predict the damage location, and it does not require baseline measurements, which makes it potential to be a baseline-free damage detection technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite materials have many attractive properties, e.g. light-weight combined with high mechanical strength, and are recognized as an enabling technology for deep-water high pressure high temperature (HPHT) and corrosive environment applications. However, composite still has a barrier to entry in relation to steel due to limited field experience and lack of systematic failure prediction and assurance of in-service performance. Advances in such areas would enable the use of composites in a wider range of applications. Evaluation of in-service prototypes offers a partial solution but is costly. Thus a method that allows constant health monitoring of the composite in real-time and in-situ would be extremely useful. Ultrasonic guided wave-based structural health monitoring (SHM) technology is one of the most prominent options in non-destructive evaluation and testing (NDE/NDT) techniques. To investigate the feasibility of guided wave-based SHM for composite pipes, propagation characteristics of guided waves in an epoxy hybrid carbon/glass fibres pipe are systematically studied using finite element (FE) simulation and experiments. Both axisymmetric modes of propagation, the longitudinal L(0,n) and torsional T(0,n) modes are considered in the simulation process, however only the longitudinal modes can be captured by the piezoelectric sensors. Additionally, the tuning curves experimentally plotted are used to obtain the frequency with the maximum amplitude of each guided mode. Finally, guided waves in the composite pipe are tested with artificial defects (gel coupled coins) to understand the behaviour of guided waves after interaction with the defects. The different condition of artificial defects, e.g., the defect size and defect location are studied to find out the proper condition and limitation of using guided waves to monitor and inspect composite pipes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lamb wave propagating behavior in woven glass fiber reinforced epoxy (WGF/epoxy) composite laminates was studied by simulation and experiment. A 3D finite element (FE) model was built in Abaqus/Explicit software with the help of user material subroutine to capture the wave propagating features in WGF/epoxy composite plate. The Lamb wave tests were carried out by a non-circular array with 8 piezoelectric (PZT) wafers. A defect imaging algorithm was developed using MATLAB based on the ellipse theory in time-dependent domains. Two defect imaging cases were carried out in the WGF/epoxy composite plate to verify the feasibility of the proposed algorithm. A good agreement between the simulated waveforms and experimental data was achieved. This indicates a great potential of the proposed algorithm in the field of damage localization and identification for WGF/epoxy thin-walled laminates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a Lamb wave based nonlinear method is used to detect delamination in a composite laminate. For this purpose, an artificial delamination is created in a composite laminate using a thin Teflon sheet. The research includes an experimental study as well as finite element simulation. Two higher harmonics are observed in the Lamb wave response as a result of contact nonlinearity at the delamination. A spectral damage index is extracted from the spectral information of the fundamental and higher harmonics. It is found to be invariant to the sensor location and its values show decreasing trend with increase in the delamination width. Further, a new hybrid method is introduced, wherein the spectral and temporal data are used together in order to locate a delamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A meter-scale ultra-low frequency wide-bandgap seismic metamaterial for Lamb waves is proposed for the first time, and the bandgap can cover the 2 Hz seismic peak spectrum. • Band structures, vibration modes and transmission spectrum of the seismic metamaterial are calculated and analyzed. • The influences of geometrical parameters, material parameters value on the bandgap width and location are discussed. • The structure is optimized, and the effects of the different forms of matrix on the attenuation degree of the transmission spectrum is discussed. Seismic metamaterials (SMs) have attracted the attention of many researchers in the field of damping and elastic wave isolation because of their bandgap properties, i.e., attenuating elastic waves in the range of bandgaps. However, the dimension of these SMs often reaches the 10-meter scale, which impedes practical engineering application. To break through this bottleneck and achieve a smaller scale, a meter-scale novel SM composed of steel and rubber is proposed for attenuating ultra-low frequency seismic Lamb waves. Firstly, the finite element method is used to analyze the band structure of SMs and calculate the bandgaps. To explain the mechanism of bandgap, the vibration modes of the waves at the bandgap boundary frequency are further analyzed. Subsequently, the transmission spectrum of Lamb waves incidents on the finite SMs system is analyzed to prove the authenticity of the bandgaps. Finally, parameter analyses including the geometric variables, material properties, equivalent mass density, and structural matrix forms with identical equivalent mass density are investigated numerically. The results show that Lamb waves in the range of 0–20 Hz are significantly attenuated by SMs, and the aforementioned parameters are significant factors affecting the bandgap properties and transmission properties. The proposed SM has a smaller size while maintaining some wide bandgaps at 0–20 Hz for ultra-low frequencies. It is worth noting that the 2 Hz seismic peak spectrum causing the destruction of building structures is covered effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate description of surface pressure loads imposed by blast waves is crucial for the design of the next generation of blast-resistant structures. However, experimental techniques for non-intrusive, full-field surface pressure measurements are not readily available. To address this challenge, a new application of the Virtual Fields Method (VFM) has been explored to reconstruct the surface pressures acting on thin steel plates using full-field deformation measurements of the plate dynamics. A shock tube facility was used to generate a blast-like loading in controlled, laboratory environments, where the plate dynamics were measured using the deflectometry technique. Different blockages at the shock tube exit allowed for varying the spatial distribution and temporal history of the blast loading. The surface pressures were reconstructed from experimentally measured kinematic fields using the VFM. A nearly non-deformable plate equipped with point-wise pressure sensors was also used to obtain a reference, allowing to assess the performance and reliability of the proposed methodology in capturing the surface pressure distributions. Moreover, visualizations of the different blast wave impacts on the plate were obtained using a background-oriented schlieren setup. Finally, the influence of potential error sources was investigated by means of a virtual laboratory using a finite element analysis to generate synthetic input to the load reconstruction analysis. The proposed methodology provided robust, precise predictions using noise-free input from virtual experiments. The presence of both systematic and random errors during the experimental campaign resulted in a reduced pressure reconstruction accuracy, where the peak pressure amplitudes were approximately 10–20% lower compared to the pointwise transducer data. Pressure reconstructions from experimental data still showed qualitatively good estimates of the pressure distributions that were extrapolated from transducer data. Hence, this work highlights the capabilities of a promising methodology to obtain more insight into the effective action of the loading during blast–structure interaction of plated structures. • Surface pressure on thin steel plates during blast–structure interaction using VFM. • Optical full-field measurements for non-intrusive deformation assessment. • Full-field, non-uniform surface pressure distribution based on load reconstruction. • Load reconstruction based on elastic, small deformations, and thin plate theory. • Virtual experiments for evaluating the load reconstruction methodology performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study numerically and experimentally acoustoelastic wave propagation in a two-dimensional phononic metaplate consisting of a periodic array of cups sitting on a thin epoxy plate that is perforated with cross holes. When all cups are filled with water, the metaplate possesses a complete band gap. Reconfigurable coupled-resonator acoustoelastic waveguides (CRAEWs) are created by locally emptying certain cups, thus introducing local resonances that are evanescently coupled. Straight and 90° bent periodic waveguides are considered, together with an aperiodic chain of 11 coupled resonators. The aperiodic chain has no definite spatial periodicity but supports collective resonances resulting from the coupling of nearest resonators. Lamb waves are experimentally excited by a piezoelectric patch and received by a scanning optical vibrometer. Experimental results for acoustoelastic wave propagation along both periodic and aperiodic CRAEWs are compared to a three-dimensional finite element model taking fluid–structure interaction into account. The propagation of confined acoustoelastic waves in the 90° bent waveguides and the collective resonances of the aperiodic chain of defected resonators are observed experimentally. Reconfigurability are realized based on the coupling of acoustoelastic waves in a phononic metaplate. Our results show plenty of potential possibilities for the practical design of reconfigurable and programmable elastic wave devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the propagation of evanescent Lamb waves in the one-dimensional viscoelastic phononic metastrip is studied. Complex band structures and transmission spectra are calculated by using the finite element method. The effect of viscosity is included according to the Kelvin–Voigt model. Two types (namely H-type and I-type) of metastrips are fabricated in either steel or epoxy. A theoretical model is developed to predict the distribution of the displacements of evanescent waves in the finite metastrip. The effect of different cutting forms on the complex band structure is also investigated. It is found that the spatial attenuation of evanescent waves is clearly observed in both simulation and measurement. Numerical and experimental results agree well for steel metastrips when only the elastic stiffness matrix is considered, whereas good agreement for epoxy metastrips is achieved when viscoelasticity is taken into account. The displacement distribution of evanescent waves can be accurately predicted from the two least evanescent waves identified in the complex band structure. Different slicing forms for the metastrip result in the reconstruction of evanescent waves, leading to the opening or closing of bandgaps. The present work lays the numerical and experimental foundation for practical application of phononic metastrips. [Display omitted] • Complex band structure for evanescent Lamb waves is calculated by using finite element method. • Numerical and experimental distributions of evanescent waves agree well and can be accurately predicted. • Evanescent waves are reconstructed for different cutting forms, leading to the opening or closing of bandgaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The homogenization of material parameters layer by layer is a mostly sufficient method for the simulation of Lamb wave propagation in carbon fiber reinforced plastics. But since current experimental investigations of the wave behavior in undamaged CFRP structures reveal an effect called “quasi-continuous mode conversion”, which can not be reproduced with this layer-wise homogenization procedure, an improved material model for the finite element analysis of the Lamb wave propagation is presented in this work. The used 2D plane strain state model considers the random distribution of fibers in the matrix material on the microscale by homogenized subdomains and thereby properly capture the “quasi-continuous mode conversion” effect. Numerical investigations of the influence of the material model on the developing wave modes in a unidirectional layer will complete the work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved understanding of the wave propagation in incompressible soft structures with a pre-deformation, especially the grasp of viscoelastic effect, could fundamentally catalyze technical developments in many areas including medicine, and rubber. Based on the nonlinear elasticity and linear incremental theories, a fractional-order hyper-viscoelastic model is established to derive dynamic equations of Lamb waves in functionally graded pre-deformed viscoelastic soft plates. The fractional-order Kelvin-Voigt model is applied to concern the viscoelasticity. An improved Legendre polynomial method is employed to analytically solve wave equations. The complex wave solutions are obtained without the iterative. The correctness of the present method is validated by a comparison with the finite element method. The influence of viscoelasticity and pre-formation on dispersion and attenuation curves is investigated. Some new wave phenomena are revealed: Phase velocity and attenuation of Lamb waves can be controlled by altering stretch ratios λ i , and the pre-stretching restrains the viscoelastic effect; The minimum attenuation frequency can be adjusted by altering the material component distributions. Results provide the foundation for the design of biomaterials with the controllable viscoelasticity to greatly promote their applications in the regenerative medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A finite element approach for modeling of acoustic emission sources and signal propagation in hybrid multi-layered plates is presented. Modeling results are validated by Laser vibrometer measurements and comparison to calculated dispersion curves. We investigate hybrid plates as typically found in composite pressure vessels, composed of fiber reinforced polymers with arbitrary stacking sequences and attached metal or polymer materials. Hybrid plate thickness, the ratio between anisotropic and isotropic materials and material properties are varied. Lamb-wave propagation in a geometry representative of a pressure vessel is modeled. It is demonstrated, that acoustic emission sources in multi-layered structures can cause Lamb-waves superimposed by guided waves within the individual layers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Spectral FEM within the bi-potential framework is developed for modeling CAN. • A semi-explicit algorithm is proposed to facilitate high computational efficiency. • Contact force can be calculated by bi-potential method without defined parameters. • Computational efficiency of the proposed method is much higher than that of FEM. • The proposed method can capture classical contact acoustic nonlinearity features. Nonlinear ultrasonic guided waves are of great importance in structural health monitoring, since they have both the large-area inspection capability of guided waves and the desirable sensitivity to incipient defects from nonlinear ultrasonic features. Efficient numerical methods play a key role in investigating the nonlinear features of guided waves. In this work, a time domain spectral finite element method (TDSFEM) combined with the bi-potential contact theory is developed to capture the nonlinear interactions between guided waves and breathing cracks. The bi-potential approach has better accuracy than the conventional penalty method, since there is no any user-defined parameter for computation in the former method while the latter one requires a user-experience-based penalty factor. In addition, a semi-explicit algorithm is proposed to integrate the wave equation, which can take full advantage of the diagonal mass matrix of TDSFEM while not sacrificing numerical stability. Numerical verifications against ANSYS show that the computational efficiency of the bi-potential method-based TDSFEM is much higher than that of the FEM via the penalty method. Numerical case studies are then performed to investigate the nonlinear interactions between Lamb waves and breathing cracks. Results show that the proposed method can successfully capture the classical nonlinear features, such as higher harmonic generation and zero frequency (DC) response. Moreover, the influence of the length and gap of a breathing crack on the contact acoustic nonlinearity (CAN) is investigated. As an efficient numerical approach, the bi-potential method-based TDSFEM may be a good tool for investigating the CAN. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new finite element method reproduced the impact damage in composite laminate. • The model describes the geometric properties of the actual impact damage. • Simulation of acousto-ultrasonic sensing was conducted to manifest the change of the Lamb wave. • Investigating the change of the Lamb wave which interacts with impact damage. • The simulation results ware compared with another finite element method and validated by the experiment. It is difficult to investigate the interaction between the Lamb wave and impact damage within a composite laminate if the interfaces caused by impact-induced delamination and cracks are not modeled precisely. In this study, a novel finite element modeling method was proposed to virtually reproduce multiple damage after observing the distribution and form of different impacts in a cross-ply carbon fiber reinforced plastic laminate. Further, a numerical simulation of acousto-ultrasonic sensing was performed to manifest the tone-burst Lamb wave that propagated in the laminate. The calculated stress and displacement contours distinguished the dispersed modes and exhibited the wave attenuation after it interacted with multiple interfaces. The change in amplitude provided a reference for impact damage evaluation. The proposed method was compared with another existing modeling method and validated by the acousto-ultrasonic sensing experiment, which demonstrated its accuracy and capability to study the phenomena in acousto-ultrasonic sensing for low-velocity impact damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The propagation of guided Lamb waves in metallic foam sandwich panels is described in this paper and analyzed numerically with a three-dimensional finite element simulation. The influence of geometrical properties of the foam sandwich plates (such as the irregularity of the foam structure, the relative density or the cover plate thickness) on the wave propagation is investigated in a parametric study. Open-cell and closed-cell structures are found to exhibit similar wave propagation behavior. In addition to the finite element model with fully resolved microstructure, a simplified, computationally cheaper model is also considered – there the porous core of the sandwich panel is approximated by a homogenized effective medium. The limitations of this homogenization approach are briefly pointed out. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper aims to describe the guided Lamb wave propagation in honeycomb sandwich panels. The application of Lamb waves is a well-known method in modern online structural health monitoring techniques. To analyze the wave propagation in such a complicated geometry with an analytical solution is hardly possible; therefore a dimensional finite element simulation is used. A piezoelectric actuator is used to excite the waves on the sandwich panel surface. The extended model of the honeycomb sandwich panel is consisting of two plate layers and a mid-core layer. In addition, a simplified model is used to reduce the computing costs, where the mid-core of the sandwich panel is replaced by a homogeneous layer. The results from the extended model and the simplified model are in most cases in a good agreement; however the limitations of using the simplified model are discussed. A parametric study is used to show the influence of the geometrical properties of honeycomb plates, the material properties of the skin plates and the loading frequency on the group velocity, the wave length and the energy transmission. Each of these properties provides valuable information to design an efficient health monitoring system. Finally, an experimental test is presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper deals with the investigation of the Lamb wave propagation in particle reinforced composites excited by piezoelectric patch actuators. A three-dimensional finite element method (FEM) modeling approach is set up to perform parameter studies in order to better understand how the Lamb wave propagation in particle reinforced composite plates is affected by change of central frequency of excitation signal, volume fraction of particles, size of particles and stiffness to density ratio of particles. Furthermore, the influence of different arrangements is investigated. Finally, the results of simplified models using material data obtained from numerical homogenization are compared to the results of models with heterogeneous build-up. The results show that the Lamb wave propagation properties are mainly affected by the volume fraction and ratio of stiffness to density of particles, whereas the particle size does not affect the Lamb wave propagation in the considered range. As the contribution of the stiffer material increases, the group velocity and the wave length also increase while the energy transmission reduces. Simplified models based on homogenization technique enabled a tremendous drop in computational costs and show reasonable agreement in terms of group velocity and wave length. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) applications call for both efficient and powerful numerical tools to predict the behavior of ultrasonic guided waves. When considering waves in thin-walled structures, so called Lamb waves, conventional linear or quadratic pure displacement finite elements soon reach their limits. The spatial as well as temporal discretisation, required to obtain good quality results has to be very fine. This results in enormous computational costs (computational time and memory storage requirements) when ultrasonic wave propagation problems are solved in the time domain. To resolve this issue several higher order finite element methods with polynomial degrees are proposed. The objective of the current article is to develop such higher order schemes and to verify their capabilities with respect to accuracy and numerical performance. To the best of the authors’ knowledge such comparison has not been reported in literature, yet. Specifically, spectral elements based on Lagarange polynomials (SEM), p-elements using the normalized integrals of the Legendre polynomials (p-FEM) and isogeometric elements utilizing non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS, N-FEM) are discussed in this paper. By solving a two-dimensional benchmark problem, their advantages and drawbacks with respect to Lamb wave propagation are highlighted. The results of the convergence studies are then used to derive guidelines for estimating the optimal element size for a given finite element type and polynomial degree template. These findings serve the purpose to determine the optimal mesh configuration a priori and thus, save a considerable amount of computational effort. The proposed guideline is then tested on a three-dimensional structure with a conical hole showing an excellent agreement with the predicted behaviour. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, a computationally efficient scheme to simulate Lamb wave propagation in symmetric laminated composite is presented and used to study time reversibility of Lamb wave. The technique proposed is a modified version of the wavelet spectral finite element (WSFE) which has been earlier developed for one- and two-dimensional wave propagation. The method follows a finite element procedure in the transformed frequency-wavenumber domain. The transformations are done using Daubechies scaling function approximation in time and one spatial dimension. Here, the modified WSFE method is used to simulate time domain Lamb wave response in doubly bounded, symmetric composite laminates. The results have been validated by comparing the wave velocities derived from these simulations with those obtained from experiments. The technique has also been used to emphasize and analyze the time reversibility phenomenon of Lamb wave. Finally, the constraint of the simulation in terms of wrap-around problem is explained with numerical examples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, the Lamb mode attenuation constants were derived in terms of the attenuation coefficient, group velocity and central frequency of excitation of the Lamb mode, using the Rayleigh damping model. Attenuation of Lamb waves, both fundamental symmetric and anti-symmetric modes, propagating through viscoelastic media (cross-ply glass/epoxy laminate) was modelled using the Finite Element Method. Numerically simulated attenuation of Lamb waves using Lamb mode attenuation constants was found to be in good agreement with the assumed attenuation. Experiments were performed on a quasi-isotropic laminate, employing air-coupled ultrasonic transducers, to measure the attenuation coefficient. Lamb mode attenuation constants, computed using the attenuation coefficient, were used to model the attenuation of the Lamb mode in quasi-isotropic laminates. Numerically simulated amplitude variation was found to be in good agreement with that computed from experiments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study is to quantitatively assess debonding in sandwich CF/EP composite structures with a honeycomb core using acoustic waves activated and captured by surface-mounted PZT elements. For experimental investigation, debonding was introduced at different locations in sandwich CF/EP composite beams. The fundamental anti-symmetric A 0 Lamb mode was excited at a low frequency. The transmitted and reflected wave signals in both surface panels were captured by PZT elements after interacting with the debonding damage and specimen boundaries. Aided by finite element analysis (FEA), the differences in wave propagation characteristics in sandwich composite beams and composite laminate (e.g. skin panel only) were investigated. The debonding location was assessed using the time-of-flight (ToF) of damage-reflected waves, and the severity of debonding was evaluated using both the magnitude of the reflected wave signal and the delay in the ToF of Lamb wave signals. Good correlation between the experimental and FEA simulation results was observed. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of Lamb waves activated and captured by surface-mounted PZT elements on either surface of sandwich composite structures in assessing debonding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, wave propagation in straight and curved mechanical waveguide is investigated. The main objective of the study is to develop a numerical model that can determine the response of the intact or damaged waveguide structure which is subjected to the incident waves. The wave finite element method, which is based on the simple development of standard finite element procedures, is used for the extraction of eigenmodes and analysis of the wave propagation properties. To make an effective use of those eigenmodes, a criterion that is based on the properties of eigensolutions is proposed to condense the mode bases. By using the reduced eigenmode bases, the high frequency wave motion due to the presence of curved part in the waveguide is examined through the wave propagation approach. Numerical analysis indicates that, in order to choose the appropriate wave modes for inspection, it is necessary to obtain both the eigenmode and wave propagation properties, thus the incident wave could be optimised for better monitoring of the structural features and detection of the local damages. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The limitations of the dynamic theories for the thin layered elastic structures, which very often have different physical and geometrical contrast properties of the layers in today's high-tech applications, bring a number of challenges in the numerical computation of the dynamic response. This is a strong motivation to develop a suitable computational methodology for accurate evaluation and implementation of the numerical results, aiming at accurate interpretation of the vibration spectra and the associated displacement and stress fields. In this paper, a newly developed numerical engineering approach is presented for the study of elastic wave dispersion in composite plates (sandwich plates) with high-contrast properties of the layers using modal finite element method (FEM) analysis implemented in commercial software. The obtained results are compared with the iterative numerical solution of the Rayleigh-Lamb dispersion equation for the fundamental flexural wave and the first shear harmonic. It is shown that the complexity of the dispersion phenomena, including the cut-off frequencies of higher order vibrational modes, has been captured very accurately and that the developed computational methodology provides a valuable insight into the frequency range in which the respective mode can be activated. This perspective shows a great potential of the approach to be employed in many engineering applications involving multi-layered structures with arbitrary number of layers. • Lamb wave dispersion in high-contrast three-layered composite plates is studied. • Numerical engineering approach to analyze wave dispersion phenomena is developed. • Frequency ranges in which the respective mode can be activated are determined. • The dispersion curves and the cut-off frequencies are captured very accurately. • The approach enables to separate fundamental flexural mode and first shear mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, a Lamb wave based technique has been developed for delamination detection in cross-ply laminated beams. By measuring the propagation speed of S 0 Lamb mode and the traveling time of a signal reflected from a delamination site, the location of the delamination can be identified. It has been also confirmed by the experiment that the location of a delamination can be accurately determined by only using the data collected from the sensors in a defect-containing beam, without referring to the baseline signals. Finally, to gain a better understanding of the complex interaction between a Lamb wave and a long delamination, numerical simulations have been carried out using finite element method (FEM). The signal modes generated at the boundaries of the delamination have been analyzed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents a benchmark for three-dimensional explicit asynchronous absorbing layers for modeling unbounded domains through a standard displacement-based finite element method: Three-dimensional Perfectly Matched Layers (PML) is compared to recently proposed Absorbing Layers with Increasing Damping (ALID) based on Rayleigh and Kosloff damping formulations. The coupled problem, including the interior subdomain and the absorbing layers, is implemented in the framework of Heterogeneous Asynchronous Time Integrator (HATI), enabling the absorbing layers to be handed with an explicit Central Difference scheme, with fine time steps, independently from the time stepping procedure adopted in the interior subdomain. Simple 3D Lamb's tests are considered by using different kinds of absorbing layers. The superiority of the PML in terms of the accuracy and computation time is highlighted. Finally, realistic 3D applications are investigated, such as the Lamb's test and the study of the screening effect provided by a horizontal wave barrier in mitigating the ground surface vibration generated by an excited plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) has proved to be effective in strengthening ageing steel structures, due to its outstanding properties. However, debonding problems which can occur at the interface severely impair the performance of retrofitted structures. In this paper, a guided wave based structural health monitoring (SHM) method is employed to detect debonding in CFRP-reinforced steel structures. The proposed samples are CFRP-reinforced steel plates with different sizes of debonding. Due to its sensitivity to interfacial damage, the anti-symmetrical Lamb wave mode is chosen as the incident wave and surface-mounted piezoelectric (PZT) wafers are employed to excite and collect the signals. Theoretical derivation is introduced to find the relationship between the time-of-flight (ToF) of the first arrival wave package in the received signals and the extent of debonding damage. A linear relationship is obtained, in that the ToF decreases linearly with the increase in the size of debonding. When corresponding numerical simulation and experimental study are performed to verify the relationship, similar trends are observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a combined experimental and numerical study on the determination of the stiffness matrix of transversely isotropic thin laminated composite structures non-destructively with the use of group velocity measurements. The approach relies on the usage of A0 and S0 modes of Lamb waves, triggered the by pencil-lead break, which propagate in the composite material, and enables the evaluation of various elements of the stiffness matrix. It is proven that the experimental Lamb wave method can be reliably utilized for determining the components of the stiffness matrix, C ij . The results are validated with respect to those of mechanical characterization and finite element analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite materials have been widely used in various applications, and guided waves are often used as a non-destructive testing tool to inspect defects or damage in composite laminates which are assemblies of multiple composite layers. These can have anisotropic material properties and arbitrary fibre orientation such that the guided wave properties of Lamb and shear-horizontal modes are direction-dependent. The group velocity of each wave mode is therefore to be considered with a component parallel to the wave propagation direction and a component perpendicular to the wave propagation direction. In this article, a semi-analytical finite element method is developed to model composite laminates with arbitrary fibre orientation and anisotropic material properties in each layer. Galerkin's principle is used to derive the weak forms of the governing equations, and an energy velocity formulation is used to calculate the parallel and perpendicular energy velocities. The finite element solutions are compared with available analytical and numerical solutions in the literature for forward waves, and excellent agreement is demonstrated. On this basis, the guided wave properties of backward waves have also been investigated. It is well understood that in an isotropic plate, the energy velocity of a backward wave is directed opposite to the phase velocity. However, in a composite laminate, the energy velocity of a backward wave is normally not exactly opposed to (180° out of phase with) the phase velocity but exhibits a skew angle. The angular dependences of wave properties of the forward and backward waves are investigated in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]