Application of a Probabilistic Algorithm for Ultrasonic Guided Wave Imaging of Carbon Composites

Abstract

The Reconstruction Algorithm for Probabilistic Inspection of Damage (RAPID) is a baseline-dependent imaging method. It utilizes a permanent array of ultrasonic transducers that covers the region of interest to interrogate the structure and estimate the presence and location of damage. The method has already proven its capability to detect different types of damage in aluminum plate structures, e.g. cracking or corrosion damage. In the present study, we apply RAPID to inspect carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) components for the presence of impact damage and delaminations. In addition, numerical and experimental results of a baseline-free RAPID approach for the detection of nonlinear defects in CFRP will be presented. This modified RAPID draws on the Scaling Subtraction Method (SSM) which is well known from the field of nonlinear ultrasound.