scholarly journals High-Frequency Guided Waves for Corrosion Thickness Loss Monitoring

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Chew ◽  
Bernard Masserey ◽  
Paul Fromme
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Lamb Wave ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Plate Thickness ◽  
Corrosion Damage ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Wave Modes

Abstract Adverse environmental conditions result in corrosion during the life cycle of marine structures such as pipelines, offshore oil platforms, and ships. Generalized corrosion leading to the loss of wall thickness can cause the degradation of the integrity, strength, and load bearing capacity of the structure. Nondestructive detection and monitoring of corrosion damage in difficult to access areas can be achieved using high-frequency guided waves propagating along the structure. Using standard ultrasonic wedge transducers with single-sided access to the structure, specific high-frequency guided wave modes (overlap of both fundamental Lamb wave modes) were generated that penetrate through the complete thickness of the structure. The wave propagation and interference of the guided wave modes depend on the thickness of the structure and were measured using a noncontact laser interferometer. Numerical simulations using a two-dimensional finite element model were performed to visualize and predict the guided wave propagation and energy transfer across the plate thickness. During laboratory experiments, the wall thickness was reduced uniformly by milling of one steel plate specimen. In a second step, wall thickness reduction was induced using accelerated corrosion for two mild steel plates. The corrosion damage was monitored based on the effect on the wave propagation and interference (beating effect) of the Lamb wave modes in the frequency domain. Good agreement of the measured beatlengths with theoretical predictions was achieved, and the sensitivity of the methodology was ascertained, showing that high-frequency guided waves have the potential for corrosion damage monitoring at critical and difficult to access locations.

Contribution of Lamb wave modes in the formation of higher order modes cluster (HOMC) guided waves

2021 ◽  
pp. 095440622110424
Author(s):  
Z Abbasi ◽  
F Honarvar
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Wave Packet ◽  
Lamb Wave ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Higher Order Modes ◽  
Wave Modes

In recent years, Higher Order Modes Cluster (HOMC) guided waves have been considered for ultrasonic testing of plates and pipes. HOMC guided waves consist of higher order Lamb wave modes that travel together as a single nondispersive wave packet. The objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of frequency-thickness value on the contribution of Lamb wave modes in an HOMC guided wave. This is an important issue that has not been thoroughly investigated before. The contribution of each Lamb wave mode in an HOMC guided wave is studied by using a two-dimensional finite element model. The level of contribution of various Lamb wave modes to the wave cluster is verified by using a 2D FFT analysis. The results show that by increasing the frequency-thickness value, the order of contributing modes in the HOMC wave packet increases. The number of modes that comprise a cluster also increases up to a specific frequency-thickness value and then it starts to decrease. Plotting of the cross-sectional displacement patterns along the HOMC guided wave paths confirms the shifting of dominant modes from lower to higher order modes with increase of frequency-thickness value. Experimental measurements conducted on a mild steel plate are used to verify the finite element simulations. The experimental results are found to be in good agreement with simulations and confirm the changes observed in the level of contribution of Lamb wave modes in a wave cluster by changing the frequency-thickness value.

scholarly journals High Frequency Ultrasonic Wave Propagation in  Anisotropic Materials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Andrew Paul Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Ultrasonic Wave ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Waves ◽  
Tissue Characterisation ◽  
Ultrasonic Wave Propagation ◽  
Matching Layer ◽  
Fibrous Tissues ◽  
Wave Modes

<p>The influence of highly regular, anisotropic, microstructured materials on high frequency ultrasonic wave propagation was investigated in this work. Microstructure, often only treated as a source of scattering, significantly influences high frequency ultrasonic waves, resulting in unexpected guided wave modes. Tissues, such as skin or muscle, are treated as homogeneous by current medical ultrasound systems, but actually consist of highly anisotropic micron-sized fibres. As these systems increase towards 100 MHz, these fibres will significantly influence propagating waves leading to guided wave modes. The effect of these modes on image quality must be considered. However, before studies can be undertaken on fibrous tissues, wave propagation in more ideal structures must be first understood. After the construction of a suitable high frequency ultrasound experimental system, finite element modelling and experimental characterisation of high frequency (20-200 MHz) ultrasonic waves in ideal, collinear, nanostructured alumina was carried out. These results revealed interesting waveguiding phenomena, and also identified the potential and significant advantages of using a microstructured material as an alternative acoustic matching layer in ultrasonic transducer design. Tailorable acoustic impedances were achieved from 4-17 MRayl, covering the impedance range of 7-12 MRayl most commonly required by transducer matching layers. Attenuation coefficients as low as 3.5 dBmm-1 were measured at 100 MHz, which is excellent when compared with 500 dBmm-1 that was measured for a state of the art loaded epoxy matching layer at the same frequency. Reception of ultrasound without the restriction of critical angles was also achieved, and no dispersion was observed in these structures (unlike current matching layers) until at least 200 MHz. In addition, to make a significant step forward towards high frequency tissue characterisation, novel microstructured poly(vinyl alcohol) tissue-mimicking phantoms were also developed. These phantoms possessed acoustic and microstructural properties representative of fibrous tissues, much more realistic than currently used homogeneous phantoms. The attenuation coefficient measured along the direction of PVA alignment in an example phantom was 8 dBmm-1 at 30 MHz, in excellent agreement with healthy human myocardium. This method will allow the fabrication of more realistic and repeatable phantoms for future high frequency tissue characterisation studies.</p>

Ultrasonic Guided Wave Testing of Finned Tubing

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen M. Malinowski ◽  
Matthew S. Lindsey ◽  
Jason K. Van Velsor
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Tube Wall ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Waves ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Inspection Method ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Wave ◽  
Guided Wave Propagation ◽  
Wave Modes

In the past few decades, ultrasonic guided waves have been utilized more frequently Non-Destructive Testing (NDT); most notably, in the qualitative screening of buried piping. However, only a fraction of their potential applications in NDT have been fully realized. This is due, in part, to their complex nature, as well as the high level of expertise required to understand and utilize their propagation characteristics. The mode/frequency combinations that can be generated in a particular structure depend on geometry and material properties and are represented by the so-called dispersion curves. Although extensive research has been done in ultrasonic guided wave propagation in various geometries and materials, the treatment of ultrasonic guided wave propagation in periodic structures has received little attention. In this paper, academic aspects of ultrasonic guided wave propagation in structures with periodicity in the wave vector direction are investigated, with the practical purpose of developing an ultrasonic guided wave based inspection technique for finned tubing. Theoretical, numerical, and experimental methods are employed. The results of this investigation show excellent agreement between theory, numerical modeling, and experimentation; all of which indicate that ultrasonic guided waves will propagate coherently in finned tube only if the proper wave modes and frequencies are selected. It is shown that the frequencies at which propagating wave modes exist can be predicted theoretically and numerically, and depend strongly on the fin geometry. Furthermore, the results show that these propagating wave modes are capable of screening for and identifying the axial location of damage in the tube wall, as well as separation of the fins from the tube wall. The conclusion drawn from these results is that Guided Wave Testing (GWT) is a viable inspection method for screening finned tubing.

scholarly journals Numerical Investigation of Excitation of Various Lamb Waves Modes in Thin Plastic Films

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 849
Author(s):  
Rymantas Jonas Kazys ◽  
Justina Sestoke ◽  
Egidijus Zukauskas
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Investigation ◽  
Lamb Wave ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Phased Array ◽  
Ultrasonic Transducer ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Guided Waves ◽  
Plastic Films ◽  
Thin Plastic ◽  
Wave Modes

Ultrasonic-guided waves are widely used for the non-destructive testing and material characterization of plates and thin films. In the case of thin plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC), films up to 3.2 MHz with only two Lamb wave modes, antisymmetrical A0 and symmetrical S0, may propagate. At frequencies lower that 240 kHz, the velocity of the A0 mode becomes slower than the ultrasonic velocity in air which makes excitation and reception of such mode complicated. For excitation of both modes, we propose instead a single air-coupled ultrasonic transducer to use linear air-coupled arrays, which can be electronically readjusted to optimally excite and receive the A0 and S0 guided wave modes. The objective of this article was the numerical investigation of feasibility to excite different types of ultrasonic-guided waves, such as S0 and A0 modes in thin plastic films with the same electronically readjusted linear phased array. Three-dimensional and two-dimensional simulations of A0 and S0 Lamb wave modes using a single ultrasonic transducer and a linear phased array were performed. The obtained results clearly demonstrate feasibility to excite efficiently different guided wave modes in thin plastic films with readjusted phased array.

scholarly journals High Frequency Ultrasonic Wave Propagation in  Anisotropic Materials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Andrew Paul Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Ultrasonic Wave ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Waves ◽  
Tissue Characterisation ◽  
Ultrasonic Wave Propagation ◽  
Matching Layer ◽  
Fibrous Tissues ◽  
Wave Modes

<p>The influence of highly regular, anisotropic, microstructured materials on high frequency ultrasonic wave propagation was investigated in this work. Microstructure, often only treated as a source of scattering, significantly influences high frequency ultrasonic waves, resulting in unexpected guided wave modes. Tissues, such as skin or muscle, are treated as homogeneous by current medical ultrasound systems, but actually consist of highly anisotropic micron-sized fibres. As these systems increase towards 100 MHz, these fibres will significantly influence propagating waves leading to guided wave modes. The effect of these modes on image quality must be considered. However, before studies can be undertaken on fibrous tissues, wave propagation in more ideal structures must be first understood. After the construction of a suitable high frequency ultrasound experimental system, finite element modelling and experimental characterisation of high frequency (20-200 MHz) ultrasonic waves in ideal, collinear, nanostructured alumina was carried out. These results revealed interesting waveguiding phenomena, and also identified the potential and significant advantages of using a microstructured material as an alternative acoustic matching layer in ultrasonic transducer design. Tailorable acoustic impedances were achieved from 4-17 MRayl, covering the impedance range of 7-12 MRayl most commonly required by transducer matching layers. Attenuation coefficients as low as 3.5 dBmm-1 were measured at 100 MHz, which is excellent when compared with 500 dBmm-1 that was measured for a state of the art loaded epoxy matching layer at the same frequency. Reception of ultrasound without the restriction of critical angles was also achieved, and no dispersion was observed in these structures (unlike current matching layers) until at least 200 MHz. In addition, to make a significant step forward towards high frequency tissue characterisation, novel microstructured poly(vinyl alcohol) tissue-mimicking phantoms were also developed. These phantoms possessed acoustic and microstructural properties representative of fibrous tissues, much more realistic than currently used homogeneous phantoms. The attenuation coefficient measured along the direction of PVA alignment in an example phantom was 8 dBmm-1 at 30 MHz, in excellent agreement with healthy human myocardium. This method will allow the fabrication of more realistic and repeatable phantoms for future high frequency tissue characterisation studies.</p>

scholarly journals Influence of Location and Thickness Variations on Guided Waves in Defective Carbon/Epoxy Plate

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 5736-5740
Keyword(s):  
Guided Waves ◽  
Wave Attenuation ◽  
Impact Damage ◽  
Plate Thickness ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Waves ◽  
Time Signal ◽  
Matrix Cracks ◽  
The Impact

This paper addresses the effects of plate thickness and defect location on guided wave propagation in carbon/epoxy plates. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) of the plate was developed using MATLAB program codes, and simulated in Abaqus/Explicit. Referring to experimental ultrasonic C-scan images, the complex impact damage was modelled with irregular-shaped delamination and through-thickness matrix cracks. The simulated results show that a slower arrival time signal and amplitude drop of guided wave captured behind the defective region can be used as an indicator of the impact damage. A largOer scattering occurred when delamination was located closer to the plate surface. The extent of scattering gets larger, especially in the direction of 345o from the excitation point. It is also observed that the impact damage can still be detected through a line scan method across the impact damage, although the wave attenuation is greater in a thicker composite plate. By investigating these factors independently, the trends of the scattered guided ultrasonic waves can be classified and perhaps will revolutionize a smart non-destructive method for composite structure in the future.

Inspection of Concrete-Metal Rod Interface Using Guided Waves

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Won-Bae Na ◽  
Tribikram Kundu ◽  
Mohammad R. Ehsani
Keyword(s):  
Lamb Wave ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Lamb Waves ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Ultrasonic Transducers ◽  
Interface Debonding ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Steel Rebar ◽  
Steel Bars ◽  
Steel Rebars

Abstract The feasibility of detecting interface degradation and separation of steel rebars in concrete beams using Lamb waves is investigated in this paper. It is shown that Lamb waves can easily detect these defects. A special coupler between the steel rebar and ultrasonic transducers has been used to launch non-axisymmetric guided waves in the steel rebar. This investigation shows that the Lamb wave inspection technique is an efficient and effective tool for health monitoring of reinforced concrete structures because the Lamb wave can propagate a long distance along the reinforcing steel bars embedded in concrete as the guided wave and is sensitive to the interface debonding between the steel rebar and concrete.

scholarly journals Fatigue crack detection in pipes with multiple mode nonlinear guided waves

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruiqi Guan ◽  
Ye Lu ◽  
Kai Wang ◽  
Zhongqing Su
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Crack ◽  
Crack Detection ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Second Harmonic ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Harmonic Wave ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Fatigue Crack Detection ◽  
Wave Modes

This study elaborates fundamental differences in fatigue crack detection using nonlinear guided waves between plate and pipe structures and provides an effective approach for analysing nonlinearity in pipe structures. For this purpose, guided wave propagation and interaction with microcrack in a pipe structure, which introduced a contact acoustic nonlinearity, was analysed through a finite element analysis in which the material nonlinearity was also included. To validate the simulation results, experimental testing was performed using piezoelectric transducers to generate guided waves in a specimen with a fatigue crack. Both methods revealed that the second harmonic wave generated by the breathing behaviour of the microcrack in a pipe had multiple wave modes, unlike the plate scenario using nonlinear guided waves. Therefore, a proper index which considered all the generated wave modes due to the microcrack was developed to quantify the nonlinearity, facilitating the identification of microscale damage and further assessment of the severity of the damage in pipe structures.

scholarly journals Temperature affected guided wave propagation in a composite plate complementing the Open Guided Waves Platform

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jochen Moll ◽  
Christian Kexel ◽  
Serena Pötzsch ◽  
Marcel Rennoch ◽  
Axel S. Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Temperature Effect ◽  
Guided Waves ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Guided Wave ◽  
Assessment Development ◽  
Cfrp Plate ◽  
Guided Wave Propagation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Technical Validation

Abstract The influence of temperature is regarded as particularly important for a structural health monitoring system based on ultrasonic guided waves. Since the temperature effect causes stronger signal changes than a typical defect, the former must be addressed and compensated for reliable damage assessment. Development of new temperature compensation techniques as well as the comparison of existing algorithms require high-quality benchmark measurements. This paper investigates a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) plate that was fully characterized in previous research in terms of stiffness tensor and guided wave propagation. The same CFRP plate is used here for the analysis of the temperature effect for a wide range of ultrasound frequencies and temperatures. The measurement data are a contribution to the Open Guided Waves (OGW) platform: http://www.open-guided-waves.de. The technical validation includes initial results on the analysis of phase velocity variations with temperature and exemplary damage detection results using state-of-the-art signal processing methods that aim to suppress the temperature effect.

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