Quantitative Diagnostics of Multilayered Composite Structures with Ultrasonic Guided Waves

An effective approach for an embedded piezo diagnostic layer into thick composite material is presented. The effectiveness of the approach is assessed in comparison to the surface-mounted layer. The proposed manufacturing alleviates difficulties associated with trimming edges of composites when embedding wires. The Electro-Mechanical Impedance technique is used to access the integrity of the piezoelectric sensors bonding process. Comparisons of ultrasonic guided waves are made between embedded and surface-mounted diagnostic layers and their penetration through and across the thickness of the composites. Temperature influences with the range from −40 °C up to 80 °C on embedded and surface-mounted guided waves are investigated. An investigation is carried out into the relationship between amplitude and time-of-flight with temperature at different excitation frequencies. The temperature has significant but different effects on amplitude and phase-shift of guided waves for the embedded layer compared to the surface-mounted layer. A Laser Doppler Vibrometer is used to identify the blue tack and impact damage. Both embedded and surface-mounted layers are shown to be an effective means of generating detectable wave scatter from damage.

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Analysis of Ultrasonic Guided Waves Propagation in Complex Composite Structures

International Journal of Structural Stability and Dynamics ◽

10.1142/s0219455414400240 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (08) ◽

pp. 1440024 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Renaldas Raišutis ◽

Egidijus Žukauskas ◽

Vykintas Samaitis ◽

Audrius Jankauskas ◽

Lina Draudvilienė ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Composite Structures ◽

Guided Waves ◽

Experimental Testing ◽

Low Energy ◽

Ultrasonic Transducers ◽

Ultrasonic Guided Waves ◽

Cylindrical Shape ◽

Self Healing ◽

Storage Tanks ◽

Liquid Storage

The object of the investigation is a honeycomb structure of composite sandwich made of glass-epoxy laminating layers and a honeycomb core of epoxy impregnated paper. Large composite tanks possessing cylindrical shape are produced using the winding process. Therefore, the final products have uneven thickness and fibre orientation lamina layers, and also an unevenly impregnated honeycomb layer. The aim of this research is to develop an economically attractive embedded ultrasonic measurement technique for on-field diagnostics of complex composite structures used for production of large liquid storage tanks. Development of the relatively cheap and easy to operate embedded diagnostic/monitoring technique is important aiming to assure safety of liquid storage tanks (monitoring structural integrity against overpressure, etc.) and detection of accidental defects that may appear during transportation, installation and exploitation of those structures. Typical defects that are aimed to be detected are relatively large delaminations/disbonds (area having diameter of 150–200 mm) of skin layers caused by low energy impacts that cannot be detected visually and show severe influence on the structural strength and safety of liquid tanks. This work presents results of numerical modeling and experimental research in low frequency (50 kHz) ultrasonic guided waves (UGW) propagation in large honeycomb composite structures. Finite element (FE) simulation of UGW propagation has been made aiming to reduce quantity of ultrasonic transducers and optimize their placement on composite structure. The possibilities to place ultrasonic transducers and receivers on both sides (internal or external) of composite structures and to use such a proposed technique for detection of delamination/debonding areas caused by low energy impacts or alternating semi static loads (e.g. filling and draining of liquid from storage tank) and monitoring of partial self-healing of relatively rigid composite structures were proved by experimental testing.

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