Papers by Keyword: Wave Scattering

Abstract: This paper presents synthesis of acoustic-emission (AE) wave propagation in multi-layer materials and simulation of AE wave responses at free surface. In particular, the AE source is modelled as an arbitrary-orientation dislocation over an inclined-to-surface fault within one layer or at the layer-to-layer interface, while the materials are assumed as multi-layer media, each of which is homogeneous, isotropic and linearly elastic. With the use of the integral transformation approach, the three-dimensional wave propagation in the materials is solved in transformed or frequency-wavenumber domain. Subsequently, a closed-form solution for wave responses at free surface is found, which can then be converted in time-space domain. Numerical examples are finally provided for illustration.

Abstract: This work presents a computational investigation into the scattering of edge guided waves travelling by a notch. To establish a good understanding of this scattering phenomenon, the analysis was conductedon a range of length scales. The finite element analysis indicate that the edge guided surface waves are scattered by the presence of a notch which resulted in a SH₀-like appearance wave radiating into the medium. This can be mistaken as a mode conversion of the fundamental lamb modes or even a source at notch tips. The phenomenon becomes harder to notice at higher frequency as increasing the frequency decreases the speed and both the bulk and surface waves travel at identical speeds. A clear understanding of this interaction furthers our knowledge in one of the most prominent interaction in the study of acoustic waves for structural health monitoring.

Abstract: This paper describes a technique, quantifying the differences in waveforms between damaged and undamaged states to measure damage severity. The technique has been verified experimentally and demonstrated promise in detecting and quantifying subsurface defects. Finite element analysis (FEA) has been performed alongside as a valid model may avoid time consuming and expensive experiments. Testing is first performed on a simple flat plate and a realistic wing skin structure with geometry such as stiffening ribs. This revealed geometry will alter the regions of scatter which leads queries over optimal sensor location. It was also discovered actuator location may not necessarily be intuitive. The comparisons made here show that implementation of an ISHM system on real world subjects is feasible despite added complexity.

Abstract: Doherty and Chiu reported on the potential use of propagating stress waves for monitoring fatigue crack development in a series of hard-to-inspect weep holes in the wing spar of an aging aircraft. New experimental evidence showed an interesting scattering phenomenon at the defect and demonstrated the ability to use this phenomenon to monitor the development of an upward developing fatigue crack. It was found that a scattered field can be used to highlight the presence of a source of a secondary wave mode arising from the interaction of the incident wave field with the defect. A detailed investigation into these observations will contribute to the creation of new basic scientific understanding of this phenomenon with the potential development of a novel and optimised approach for quantitative inspection of hard-to-inspect regions in a structure.

Abstract: The wave reflection coefficients of damage such as cracks, notches and slots in otherwise uniform beams depend on frequency and on the size of the damage. Experimental results are presented for the wave power reflection coefficients of transverse slots of various depths sawn into a number of beam specimens. These results are compared with a conventional spring model to estimate the depth of the slot. The method appears to work well for larger slot depths (greater than about 30% of the thickness of the beam) and at higher frequencies, allowing their existence to be inferred and their size to be estimated. This is due to the fact that the reflection coefficients are larger in these regimes. For smaller slots or at low frequencies, noise and experimental errors, such as miscalibration errors and ill-conditioning, become more significant.

Abstract: Stringer-stiffened plate-like structure is a typical engineering structure and its structural integrity is critical. A guided Lamb wave-based damage identification scheme and an online structural health monitoring (SHM) system with an integrated PZT-sensor network were developed. In the previous studies, the specimens were relatively simple. In this paper, the abovementioned method was extended to the stiffened plate-like structure—a flat plate reinforced by stringer. FE dynamic simulation was applied to investigate the Lamb wave propagation characteristics due to the existence of stringer with the consideration of its material and geometric configurations.