Acoustic Wave Propagation Simulation in Double-Layered Composite Cylindrical Structures
Ultrasound guided waves have been recognized as an effective tool for the rapid and long-range inspection of composite cylindrical structures, but its application is still limited due to the complex nature of guided waves and their interactions with material geometry and material properties. This paper uses finite element technique to simulate the ultrasound guided wave propagation in layered composite cylinders. Ultrasound guided wave propagation was analyzed in a double-layered cylinder composed of an anisotropic unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy resin composite layer wrapped on an isotropic aluminum cylinder. The carbon fiber orientation is either along the cylinder circumferential direction or axial direction. Ultrasound wave is excited from a PZT-4 transducer which is placed on the top of a Plexiglas wedge to adjust the ultrasound incident angle into the cylinder. Low ultrasound frequencies at 0.5 and 1.0 MHz were selected to improve the effect of attenuation and simulation efficiency. Wave propagation velocities and wave structures were analyzed at various positions of the cylinder. This study helped to examine the effect of fiber orientation on wave dispersion characteristics and to assess the feasibility of applying ultrasound guided wave technique for the evaluation of composite cylindrical structures.