Lamb wave mode decomposition using concentric ring and circular piezoelectric transducers

Lamb waves using surface-bonded piezoelectric transducers (PZTs) have been widely used for nondestructive testing (NDT). However, the identification of individual Lamb wave modes and the subsequent data interpretation are often difficult due to the dispersive and multimodal natures of Lamb waves. To tackle the problem, a Lamb wave mode decomposition technique using concentric ring and circular PZTs is proposed. Its advantages over the conventional approaches are that (1) PZTs need to be placed only a single surface of a specimen and (2) mode decomposition can be performed at any desired frequency without changing the PZT size and/or spacing configuration. The proposed mode decomposition technique is formulated by solving 3D Lamb wave propagation equations considering the PZT size and shape, and this technique requires a specially designed dual PZT composed of concentric ring and circular PZTs. The effectiveness of the proposed technique for the Lamb wave mode decomposition is investigated through numerical simulation and experimental tests performed on an aluminum plate.     

基于多通道时间反转Lamb波的铝板小缺陷检测

超声Lamb波具有传播距离远、衰减小等特点,广泛应用于板结构的无损检测。将Lamb波检测技术与时间反转理论相结合,能提高铝板中小缺陷的检测能力。采用多通道时间反转板中Lamb波聚焦方法对1mm厚的铝板中直径0.8mm通孔缺陷进行检测,检测结果显示多通道时间反转检测信号中形成了两处明显的聚焦,即直达波和缺陷回波聚焦,证明此方法有效提高了检测分辨铝板小缺陷的能力。最后通过直达波、缺陷回波两处聚焦的时间差和Lamb波S_0模态群速度,准确实现了铝板中小缺陷的定位。多通道时间反转Lamb波聚焦方法不仅得到了缺陷检测回波,而且准确实现了缺陷的定位,达到了提高铝板中小缺陷检测能力的目的。     

Transient radiation by a submerged fluid-filled cylindrical shell

The radiation by a submerged fluid-filled cylindrical shell in response to a transient external pressure pulse is considered, and a semi-analytical model based on the Reissner–Mindlin shell theory is employed to simulate the interaction numerically. Two types of radiated waves that have been previously seen in experimental images for a submerged evacuated cylindrical shell are observed in both the external and internal fluids, the symmetric Lamb waves S₀ and the antisymmetric Lamb (or pseudo-Rayleigh) waves A₀. The third type of radiated waves is also observed that has not been explicitly imaged either experimentally or numerically for a submerged evacuated cylindrical shell, and it is demonstrated that these waves are the Scholte–Stoneley waves A. The effect that the complex structure of the radiated field has on the wave phenomena in the internal fluid is analyzed for shells of several different thicknesses, and the results of this analysis are summarized in the form of diagrams suitable for the use at the pre-design stage.     

钢轨轨底垂直振动模式导波检测技术的实验研究

现有铁路钢轨超声探伤车技术无法检测线路钢轨轨底缺陷,给铁路运输安全带来很大隐患.本文开展了钢轨轨底超声导波传播特性和垂直振动模式导波检测技术研究,采用半解析有限元方法分析了我国60型钢轨轨底的各振动模态导波频散曲线和波结构.应用模态锤技术对自由状态钢轨轨底垂直振动模态导波传播特性进行了实验测量,结果表明,在0～100kHz频率范围内,钢轨轨底垂直振动模态优势模式与厚度为14 mm板中的A0模式兰姆波具有等效性.进一步研究了激励频率、激励脉冲周数、传播距离对轨底垂直振动模态导波传播的影响,设计了导波斜探头,选择合适的参数在钢轨轨底激励出垂直振动模态导波并检测出了轨底的人工缺陷.本文的研究结果为线路钢轨轨底的导波检测技术奠定了一定的基础.     

一种用于计算板中缺陷兰姆波散射的混合边界元法

本文介绍了一种将传统边界元法和兰姆波的本征模式函数相结合的混合边界元法，用此方法解决兰姆波在板材中传播时遇到缺陷发生的散射问题，计算了兰姆波通过缺陷后的反射与透射系数。文中给出了若干兰姆波信号幅度与板中不同深度缺陷的相互关系。     

A unidirectional SH wave transducer based on phase-controlled antiparallel thickness-shear (d15) piezoelectric strips

In recent years, shear horizontal (SH) waves are being paid more and more attention to in structural health monitoring as it has only one displacement component. In this paper, a unidirectional SH wave transducer based on phase-controlled antiparallel thickness-shear (d₁₅) piezoelectric strips (APS) is proposed. Here two pairs of identical APS were used each of which is a bidirectional SH wave transducer. By setting the interval between the two pairs of APS as 1/4 wavelength and the excitation delay between them as 1/4 period of the central operating frequency, unidirectional SH waves can be excited. Both finite element simulations and experiments were performed to validate the proposed design. Results show that SH₀ waves were successfully excited only along one direction and those along the unwanted directions were suppressed very well. The proposed unidirectional SH wave transducer is very helpful to study the fundamentals and applications of SH waves.     

板背部缺陷的单侧非接触式超声无损检测方法

随着板状结构在石化、航空航天和电力等工业领域中的广泛应用,急需发展相应的无损检测技术,对其结构完整性进行定期评估,以保证结构的安全运行。基于空气耦合换能器的Lamb波技术,可以非接触快速地对板状结构进行扫描,在结构安全检测领域有广阔的应用前景。本文采用基于势函数法的空气耦合板状结构声传播模型,通过理论求解得到其Lamb波临界角随频厚积的变化规律。实验中采取空气耦合换能器激发和接收Lamb波,采用傅里叶变换和信号滤波技术识别S0和A0模式,并通过与理论结果比较进行确认。最后,分别采用S0和A0模式对板背部半通孔缺陷进行定位,结果显示该单侧非接触式超声无损检测方法可用于板状结构背部缺陷的检测。     

Investigation on the Design of Piezoelectric Actuator/Sensor for Damage Detection in Beam with Lamb Waves

Piezoelectric wafer type actuator/sensor is widely used to generate and sense Lamb waves for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). However, multiple Lamb waves modes are generally excited with this type of transducer. As a result, there is some difficulty in using Lamb waves for damage detection. To selectively generate a single A₀/S₀ Lamb mode, the tuned excitation of Lamb waves has been studied by some researchers. This paper investigates the design of the PZT actuator/sensor bonded to beam-like structure for generating single A₀/S₀ Lamb mode. In the study it is found that some factors, including the bonding layer, the unknown material properties and dynamical characteristics of the beam, will influence the design of PZT actuator/sensor. Piezoelectric impedance technique is introduced to facilitate the design of PZT actuator/sensor. Crack detection in beam using the tuned A₀/S₀ Lamb waves is performed.     

Non-linear modulation of SH waves in a two-layered plate and formation of surface SH waves

Non-linear modulation of shear horizontal (SH) waves in a two-layered elastic plate of uniform thickness is considered. Both layers are assumed to be homogeneous, isotropic and incompressible elastic and having different mechanical properties. The problem is investigated by a perturbation method and in the analysis it is assumed that between the linear shear velocities of the top layer, c₁, and the bottom layer, c₂, the inequality c₁<c₂ is valid. In the layered structure then an SH wave exists if the wave velocity c of the wave satisfies either the condition c₁<c?c₂ or the one c₁<c₂?c. Here the problem is examined under the former condition and it is shown that the non-linear modulation of SH waves is governed by a non-linear Schrödinger equation. In this case the formation of surface SH (Love) waves is also revealed if the top layer is thinner when compared with the bottom layer. Then the stability condition is discussed and the existence of bright (envelope) and dark solitons are manifested.     

Lamb wave mode decomposition for structural health monitoring

Lamb waves propagate over large distances in plate-like thin structures and they have received great attention in the structural health monitoring (SHM) field as an efficient means to inspect a large area of a structure by using only a small number of sensors. The times-of-flight of the Lamb wave modes are useful for detecting damage generated in a structure. However, due to the dispersive and multi-mode nature of Lamb waves, it is very challenging to decompose Lamb wave modes into symmetric and anti-symmetric modes for potential applications to structural health monitoring. Thus, we propose an efficient Lamb wave mode decomposition method based on two fundamental rules: the group velocity ratio rule and the mode amplitude ratio rule. The group velocity ratio rule means that the ratio of the group velocities of _A0$A_0$ and _S0$S_0$ modes must be constant. The mode amplitude ratio rule means that the ratio of the magnitudes of _A0$A_0$ and _S0$S_0$ modes in a measured response signal must be always greater than one once the center frequency of the input signal is determined, such that the magnitude of the _A0$A_0$ mode in the excited signal is larger than that of the _S0$S_0$ mode, and vice versa. The proposed method is verified through experiments conducted for a plate specimen.     

基于电磁声激励Lamb波的裂纹深度检测

本文采用电磁声传感器接收单一S₀模态激励,测量Lamb波在板中不同深度的槽形裂纹处的反射与透射,用于对已知扩展长度的表面裂纹进行深度测量。然后分析了Lamb波模态的频散与波动特性,由超声Lamb波的波结构,近似计算了S₀模态入射到裂纹时的反射系数。计算结果与实验结果一致。结果表明,Lamb波在有限长裂纹处的反射系数可采用二维模型中的反射系数求解公式近似求解。采用电磁超声传感器接收单一S₀模态激励,重复测量稳定性高,适用于Lamb波反射系数的测量。Lamb波的反射系数与裂纹深度有很好的对应关系,可用于板表面已知长度裂纹的深度测量。     

Simulating the formation of spiral wave in the neuronal system

Some experimental results have confirmed that a spiral wave could be observed in the cortex of brain. The biological Hodgkin–Huxley neurons are used to construct a regular network with nearest-neighbor connection, artificial line defects are generated to block the traveling wave in the network, and the potential mechanism for formation of spiral wave is investigated. A target wave is generated in a local area by imposing two external forcing currents with diversity (I ₀?I ₁) in different areas of the network. It is confirmed that spiral wave could be induced by the defects even if no specific initial values are used. A single perfect spiral wave can occupy the network when the coupling intensity exceeds certain threshold; otherwise, a group of spiral waves emerges in the network. Certain channel noise can enhance the diversity (I ₀?I ₁) for generating target wave, and then spiral waves are induced by blocking the target wave with defects under no-flux and/or periodic boundary conditions in the network.     

铝板中激光Lamb波信号的模态分析与缺陷检测研究

激光激励的Lamb波信号具有较宽的频带,且包含多个模态信息。本文采用二维傅里叶变换和时频分析等信号分析技术用于检测信号中的模态成分及缺陷信息识别。首先,对200组激光Lamb波信号进行二维傅里叶变换,得到信号的频率-波数图,可识别出激光Lamb波信号中的低阶A0、S0和高阶模态,并且A0模态能量高,可用于缺陷检测。随后对有、无缺陷状态下Lamb波信号进行连续小波变换,从时频图中识别出缺陷信号的频率成分,进一步提取特定频率下的小波系数幅值信号,实现了缺陷信息的识别。结果表明,二维傅里叶变换能较好地识别激光Lamb波的模态成分,而提取出的连续小波变换系数图,能准确实现缺陷定位。     

Characterization of Laser Generated Lamb Wave Modes after Interaction with a Thickness Reduction Discontinuity Using Ray Tracing Theory

The effect that a circular discontinuity (due to thickness reduction) in an Aluminum plate has on the direction of Lamb wave propagation was experimentally and theoretically studied. Broadband Lamb waves were generated by a pulsed Nd:YAG laser and optically detected with a photo-EMF detector to increase spatial resolution. The experimental results show that thickness reduction modifies the time of flight (TOF) for S0 and A0 vibration modes and generates a change in direction of the ultrasonic Lamb wave. The change in the TOF as a function of distance and thickness reduction was numerically determined using ray theory and then compared to experimental results. It is shown that the change in the direction of propagation depends on the vibrational mode and frequency of the Lamb waves and this can affect the detection and characterization of a hidden discontinuity.     

Experimental Investigation of the Generation of Internal Waves by a Vertical Cylinder in a Near-Surface Pycnocline

A bench study of the amplitudes, mode composition, and phase structure of the internal waves generated by a vertical cylinder in the presence of a near-surface pycnocline has been performed; the pycnocline took the form of a stratified fluid layer located between two quasi-homogeneous layers of thicknesses h ₁ and h ₂=2h ₁. In the experiments, the cylinder traveled at velocities critical with respect to internal wave generation. Different cases of model submergence relative to the pycnocline are considered. The dependence of the mode structure and the amplitude-phase characteristics of the forced internal waves on the body velocity and its relative submergence is analyzed. The parameters of both steady and unsteady wave systems are studied.The data obtained make it possible to predict the forced wave parameters and the critical body velocities for given model dimensions and pycnocline parameters.     

Generation of internal waves by a turbulent jet in a stratified fluid

The process of generation of internal waves by an initially cylindrical, turbulent jet with a Gaussian profile of the average horizontal velocity component in a fluid with stable linear density stratification is investigated by direct numerical simulation. It is shown that on time intervals Nt < 30, where N is the buoyancy frequency, the vertical velocity pulsations collapse, which is accompanied by the generation of internal waves whose spatial period is close to the wavelength of the spiral mode of jet instability in a homogeneous fluid. The wave dynamics and kinematics can be satisfactorily described by the linear theory for a pulsed source and their parameters are in good agreement with the parameters of the “coherent” internal waves generated by a stratified wake in a laboratory experiment. At large times the wave generation ceases and the variations of the fluid density are localized in the neighborhood of the centers of large-scale vortices formed in the horizontal plane in the neighborhood of the jet.     

Wave propagation analysis in 2D nonlinear hexagonal periodic networks based on second order gradient nonlinear constitutive models

We analyze the propagation of nonlinear waves in homogenized periodic nonlinear hexagonal networks, considering successively 1D and 2D situations. Wave analysis is performed on the basis of the construction of the effective strain energy density of periodic hexagonal lattices in the nonlinear regime. The obtained second order gradient nonlinear continuum has two propagation modes: an evanescent subsonic mode that disappears after a certain wavenumber and a supersonic mode characterized by an increase of the frequency with the wavenumber. For a weak nonlinearity, a supersonic mode occurs and the dispersion curves lie above the linear dispersion curve (v_p =v_p0). For a higher nonlinearity, the wave changes from a supersonic to an evanescent subsonic mode at s=0.7 and the dispersion curves drops below the linear case and vanish for certain values of the wavenumber. An important decrease in the frequency occurs for both subsonic and supersonic modes when the lattice becomes auxetic, and the longitudinal and shear modes become very close to each other. The influence of the lattice geometrical parameters of the lattice on the dispersion relations is analyzed.     

On solitary waves. Part 2 A unified perturbation theory for higher-order waves

A unified perturbation theory is developed here for calculating solitary waves of all heights by series expansion of base flow variables in powers of a small base parameter to eighteenth order for the one-parameter family of solutions in exact form, with all the coefficients determined in rational numbers. Comparative studies are pursued to investigate the effects due to changes of base parameters on (i) the accuracy of the theoretically predicted wave properties and (ii) the rate of convergence of perturbation expansion. Two important results are found by comparisons between the theoretical predictions based on a set of parameters separately adopted for expansion in turn. First, the accuracy and the convergence of the perturbation expansions, appraised versus the exact solution provided by an earlier paper [1] as the standard reference, are found to depend, quite sensitively, on changes in base parameter. The resulting variations in the solution are physically displayed in various wave properties with differences found dependent on which property (e.g. the wave amplitude, speed, its profile, excess mass, momentum, and energy), on what range in value of the base, and on the rank of the order n in the expansion being addressed. Secondly, regarding convergence, the present perturbation series is found definitely asymptotic in nature, with the relative error δ(n) (the relative mean-square difference between successive orders n of wave elevations) reaching a minimum, δ _m , at a specific order, n=n _m , both depending on the base adopted, e.g. n _{m , α} =11-12 based on parameter α (wave amplitude), n _{m , β} =15 on β (amplitude-speed square ratio), and n _{m , ∈} =17 on ∈ ( wave number squared). The asymptotic range is brought to completion by the highest order of n=18 reached in this work.     

Scattering of guided waves by through-thickness cavities with irregular shapes

This paper investigates the three-dimensional (3D) scattering of guided waves by a through-thickness cavity with irregular shape in an isotropic plate. The scattered field is decomposed on the basis of Lamb and SH waves (propagating and non-propagating), and the amplitude of the modes is calculated by writing the nullity of the total stress at the boundary of the cavity. In the boundary conditions, the functions depend on the through-thickness coordinate, z, but contrary to the case where the cavity has a circular shape, they also depend on the angular coordinate θ. This is dealt with by projecting the z-dependent functions onto a basis of orthogonal functions, and by expanding the θ-dependent functions in Fourier series. Examples include the scattering of the S₀, SH₀ and A₀ modes by elliptical cavities with different values of aspect ratio, and the scattering of the S₀ mode by a cavity with an arbitrary shape. Results obtained with this model are compared with results obtained with the finite element (FE) method, showing very good agreement.     

Experimental study on axial development of liquid film in vertical upward annular two-phase flow

Accurate measurements of the interfacial wave structure of upward annular two-phase flow in a vertical pipe were performed using a laser focus displacement meter (LFD). The purpose of this study was to clarify the effectiveness of the LFD for obtaining detailed information on the interfacial displacement of a liquid film in annular two-phase flow and to investigate the effect of axial distance from the air–water inlet on the phenomena. Adiabatic upward annular air–water flow experiments were conducted using a 3 m long, 11 mm ID pipe. Measurements of interfacial waves were conducted at 21 axial locations, spaced 110 mm apart in the pipe. The axial distances from the inlet (z) normalized by the pipe diameter (D) varied over z/D = 50–250. Data were collected for predetermined gas and liquid flow conditions and for Reynolds numbers ranging from Re_G = 31,800 to 98,300 for the gas phase and Re_L = 1050 to 9430 for the liquid phase. Using the LFD, we obtained such local properties as the minimum thickness, maximum thickness, and passing frequency of the waves. The maximum film thickness and passing frequency of disturbance waves decreased gradually, with some oscillations, as flow developed. The flow development, i.e., decreasing film thickness and passing frequency, persisted until the end of the pipe, which means that the flow might never reach the fully developed state. The minimum film thickness decreased with flow development and with increasing gas flow rate. These results are discussed, taking into account the buffer layer calculated from Karman’s three-layer model. A correlation is proposed between the minimum film thickness obtained in relation to the interfacial shear stress and the Reynolds number of the liquid.