Accurate Modeling and Wave Propagation Analysis of Cracked Slender Structural Members by the Spectral Element Method

Abstract

The analysis of elastic wave propagation in cracked structures is very useful in the crack detection by the ultrasonic guided wave method. This study presents an accurate spectral element modeling method for cracked slender structural members by using refined waveguide models and a more realistic crack model. Firstly, a spatial spectral beam element model is established for uncracked slender structural member based on the Love rod theory, the modified Timoshenko beam theory, and the Saint-Venant’s torsion theory. Then, the complete local additional flexibility matrix for crack in the structural member with rectangular cross section is derived from the theory of elastic fracture mechanics, and a two-node condensed spectral element model considering the stiffness coupling effect caused by the crack is established for cracked slender structural member. The wave response in cracked structures is solved by the numerical inverse Laplace transformation method. A thorough comparison of the wave responses in cracked structural member evaluated by the presented spectral element model and the 3D solid finite element model is given in the numerical example, which verifies the accuracy and high efficiency of the presented method.