Multimodal location algorithm for Lamb waves propagating through anisotropic materials

Abstract

Composite material use in aerospace structures has grown over the last two decades and more recently there has been an increase in the use of anisotropic composite layups. One of the most promising SHM techniques is Acoustic Emission (AE) using Lamb waves. Previous location algorithms, capable of locating damage such as cracks, delamination and debonding, have focused their application to either isotropic or quasi-isotropic structures. Previous work was dedicated to anisotropic structures based on single Lamb wave mode propagations. The scope of this work is to include different modes in the AE location algorithm to improve its location. There are cases where it is likely that different modes trigger different transducers for the same event. The transducer time-of-flight is dependent on the mode velocity, therefore an AE location calculated from single-modal algorithm would expect to have significant location inaccuracy. By considering the possibility of different Lamb wave modes triggering each sensor in the location algorithm, and using certain mathematical and physical assumptions, significant improvements of the AE location can be reached, reducing NDT burden. The multi-modal algorithm also includes the ability to locate AE in anisotropic material based on previous proven single-modal algorithm known as Elliptical algorithm. Such a multi-modal elliptical approach taken in the algorithm discussed in the work is expected to reduce significantly the AE location error for highly anisotropic material. Based on analytical equations, this algorithm processes large amounts of AE data in a condensed period of time, allowing live structural monitoring of large assets.