Richard Livings

Flaw detection in a multi-material multi-layered composite: Using FEM and air-coupled UT

Ceramic tiles are the main ingredient of a multi‐layer multi‐material composite being considered for the modernization of tank armors. The high stiffness, low attenuation, and precise dimensions of these uniform tiles make them remarkable resonators when driven to vibrate. This study is aimed at modeling the vibration modes of the tiles and the composite lay‐up with finite element analysis and comparing the results with the resonance modes observed in air‐coupled ultrasonic excitation of the tiles and armor samples. Defects in the tile, during manufacturing and/or after usage, are expected to change the resonance modes. The comparison of a pristine tile/lay‐up and a defective tile/lay‐up will thus be a quantitative damage metric. The understanding of the vibration behavior of the tile, both by itself and in the composite lay‐up, can provide useful guidance to the nondestructive evaluation of armor panels containing ceramic tiles.

Flaw investigation in a multi-layered, multi-material composite: Using air-coupled ultrasonic resonance imaging

Ceramic tiles are the main ingredient of a multi-material, multi-layered composite being considered for the modernization of tank armors. The high stiffness, low attenuation, and precise dimensions of these uniform tiles make them remarkable resonators when driven to vibrate. Defects in the tile, during manufacture or after usage, are expected to change the resonance frequencies and resonance images of the tile. The comparison of the resonance frequencies and resonance images of a pristine tile/lay-up to a defective tile/lay-up will thus be a quantitative damage metric. By examining the vibrational behavior of these tiles and the composite lay-up with Finite Element Modeling and analytical plate vibration equations, the development of a new Nondestructive Evaluation technique is possible. This study examines the development of the Air-Coupled Ultrasonic Resonance Imaging technique as applied to a hexagonal ceramic tile and a multi-material, multi-layered composite.

Limitations of symmetry in FE modeling: A comparison of fem and air-coupled resonance imaging

It has long been an accepted practice to use symmetry in Finite Element Modeling. Whenever modeling a large structure, we turn to symmetry in order to significantly reduce the model size and computation time. But is symmetry always the solution to long computation times, and is it always accurate? This study is aimed at modeling a whole ceramic tile and several possible symmetric models under several different loading cases and comparing them to each other and Air-Coupled Ultrasonic scans to determine if the Finite Element Models can accurately predict the vibrational resonance patterns. The reason for the accuracy or inaccuracy will also be examined. The understanding of the limitations of using symmetry to model large structures will be very useful in all future modeling.

Micro-crack detection in CFRP laminates using coda wave NDE

Coda Waves or diffuse field has been touted to be an NDE method that does not require the damage to be in the path of the ultrasound. The object is insonified with ultrasound and instead of catching the first or second arrival, the waves are allowed to bounce multiple times. This aspect is very important in structural health monitoring (SHM) where the potential damage development location is unknown. Researchers have used Coda waves in the interrogation of seismic damage and metallic materials. In this work we have applied the technique to composite material, and present the results herein. The coda wave and acoustic emission signals are recorded simultaneously and corroborated. Development of small incipient damage in the form of micro-crack and their detection is the objective of this work.Coda Waves or diffuse field has been touted to be an NDE method that does not require the damage to be in the path of the ultrasound. The object is insonified with ultrasound and instead of catching the first or second arrival, the waves are allowed to bounce multiple times. This aspect is very important in structural health monitoring (SHM) where the potential damage development location is unknown. Researchers have used Coda waves in the interrogation of seismic damage and metallic materials. In this work we have applied the technique to composite material, and present the results herein. The coda wave and acoustic emission signals are recorded simultaneously and corroborated. Development of small incipient damage in the form of micro-crack and their detection is the objective of this work.

Coda wave interferometry for the measurement of thermally induced ultrasonic velocity variations in CFRP laminates

Ultrasonic velocity measurement is a well-established method to measure properties and estimate strength as well as detect and locate damage. Determination of accurate and repeatable ultrasonic wave velocities can be difficult due to the influence of environmental and experimental factors. Diffuse fields created by a multiple scattering environment have been shown to be sensitive to homogeneous strain fields such as those caused by temperature variations, and Coda Wave Interferometry has been used to measure the thermally induced ultrasonic velocity variation in concrete, aluminum, and the Earth’s crust. In this work, we analyzed the influence of several parameters of the experimental configuration on the measurement of thermally induced ultrasonic velocity variations in a carbon-fiber reinforced polymer plate. Coda Wave Interferometry was used to determine the relative velocity change between a baseline signal taken at room temperature and the signal taken at various temperatures. The influence of severa...

Characterization of 3D rapid prototyped polymeric material by ultrasonic methods

Rapid prototyped parts are quickly becoming a viable alternative for manufacturers. Although the polymeric material is initially isotropic, the printing process introduces a level of anisotropy. This work characterizes the elastic and acoustic properties of the material, after printing, using ultrasonic methods. The elastic constants and the level of anisotropy are determined by measuring the ultrasonic wave velocities. It is shown that the material possesses less symmetry than the orthotropic material model. The dispersion and attenuation characteristics are also determined to provide a basis for ultrasonic flaw detection.

Feasibility of detecting fatigue damage in composites with coda waves

Coda waves are the late arriving portion of bulk or guided waves, and are the result of scattering of the waves due to heterogeneities in the material. Since these waves interact with a region multiple times, the effect of otherwise undetectable changes in material and/or stress state accumulates and becomes detectable. This work examines the feasibility of detecting incipient fatigue damage in CFRP sample with coda wave analysis. Specimens are subjected to low cycle fatigue in a four-point bend set-up. Ultrasonic measurements are periodically taken perpendicular to the direction of loading during the fatiguing process after removing all loads. Detection and reception sensitivity of coda waves in composites are studied. Also studied are the effects of the coupling between the transducer and sample for a reliable and repeatable measurement.

Flaw Investigation in a Multi-Layer, Multimaterial Composite: Using Air-Coupled Ultrasonics

Ceramic tiles are the main ingredient of a multi-layer multi-material composite being considered for the modernization of tank armors. The high stiffness, low attenuation, and precise dimensions of these uniform tiles make them remarkable resonators when driven to vibrate. Defects in the tile, during manufacturing or after usage, are expected to change the resonance modes. The comparison of a pristine tile/lay-up and a defective tile/lay-up will thus be a quantitative damage metric. This study is aimed at examining the vibration modes of the tiles and the composite lay-up and using these vibrations to detect and characterize defects.Copyright