Rayleigh Lamb Research Articles

An analysis of the simulated acoustic emission sources with different propagation distances, types and depths for rail defect detection

Acoustic Emission (AE) technique is an effective nondestructive detecting method, and has a promising application for rail defect detection. So far, little attention has been paid to propagation distances, types, and depths of AE sources, which are important for rail defect detection accurately. This paper presents an experimental study on the simulated AE sources with different propagation distances, types and depths for rail defect detection. Three simulated AE sources with different frequencies are seeded on the cross section of rail, and the depths of AE sources are changed in the vertical direction. After receiving AE signals, wavelet transform and Rayleigh–Lamb equations are utilized to extract time–frequency features and modes. Based on the wavelet transform with corresponding group-velocity curves, the influences of different propagation distances, the features of different source types and the rules of different source depths are examined. It is concluded that the features of AE sources with different propagation distances, types and depths can be obtained by AE technique for rail defect detection. It is very useful to analyze and detect defects in rail defect detection.

A hierarchy of high-order theories for symmetric modes in an elastic layer

Abstract A hierarchy of high-order theories for symmetric modes in an infinitely long elastic layer of the constant thickness is derived by means of the inertia-corrected polynomial approximations. For each member of the hierarchy, boundary conditions for layers of the finite length are formulated. The forcing problems at several approximation levels are solved with the use of the bi-orthogonality conditions. Accuracy of these approximations is assessed by comparison of results with the exact solution of the Rayleigh–Lamb problem. Special attention is paid to the power flow analysis in alternative modal excitation cases and to the applicability of the Saint-Venant׳s principle in stationary elasto-dynamics.

Third harmonic shear horizontal and Rayleigh Lamb waves in weakly nonlinear plates

The third order harmonic generation (third harmonics as well as cubic sum and difference harmonics) due to the cubic interaction of two collimated elastic waves in a homogeneous, isotropic, weakly nonlinear plate is investigated by using a fourth order expansion of strain energy density to formulate the nonlinear boundary problems. Waves with both shear horizontal (SH) and Rayleigh Lamb (RL) nature are considered as primary or tertiary wave fields. The non-zero power flux condition is evaluated using characteristic parity matrices of the cubic nonlinear forcing terms and third order harmonic mode shapes. Results indicate that waves with either SH or RL nature receive power flux from a specific pattern of primary mode interaction. Further analytical evaluation of the synchronism condition enables identification of primary SH and RL modes that are able to generate cumulative third harmonics. The primary SH modes are shown to be holo-internal-resonant with third harmonic SH fields. This simply means that all points on the primary dispersion curves are internally resonant with third harmonics, which is not the case for second harmonics. Such flexibility will be advantageous for laboratory and field measurements.

On the use of perfectly matched layers in the presence of long or backward propagating guided elastic waves

An efficient method to compute the scattering of a guided wave by a localized defect, in an elastic waveguide of infinite extent and bounded cross section, is considered. It relies on the use of perfectly matched layers (PML) to reduce the problem to a bounded portion of the guide, allowing for a classical finite element discretization. The difficulty here comes from the existence of backward propagating modes, which are not correctly handled by the PML. We propose a simple strategy, based on finite-dimensional linear algebra arguments and using the knowledge of the modes, to recover a correct approximation to the solution with a low additional cost compared to the standard PML approach. Numerical experiments are presented in the two-dimensional case involving Rayleigh–Lamb modes.

On selection of primary modes for generation of strong internally resonant second harmonics in plate

The selection of primary shear-horizontal (SH) and Rayleigh–Lamb (RL) ultrasonic wave modes that generate cumulative second harmonics in homogeneous isotropic plates is analyzed by theoretical modeling. Selection criteria include: internal resonance (synchronism and nonzero power flux), group velocity matching, and excitability/receivability. The power flux, group velocity matching, and excitability are tabulated for the SH and RL internal resonance points. The analysis indicates that SH waves can generate cumulative symmetric RL secondary wave fields. Laboratory experiments on aluminum plates demonstrate that excitation of the SH3 primary mode generates the s4 secondary RL mode and that the secondary wave field amplitude increases linearly with propagation distance. Simple magnetostrictive transducers were used to excite the primary SH wave and to receive the SH and RL wave signals. Reception of these wave modes having orthogonal polarizations was achieved by simply reorienting the electrical coil. The experiment was complicated by the presence of a nonplanar primary wavefront, however finite element simulations were able to clarify the experimental results.

On the effect of damping on dispersion curves in plates

This paper presents a study on quantitative prediction and understanding of time-harmonic wave characteristics in damped plates. Material dissipation is modelled by using complex-valued velocities of free dilatation and shear waves in an unbounded volume. As a numerical example, solution of the classical Rayleigh–Lamb problem for a viscoelastic plate is presented to illustrate and discuss the role of dissipation in the cut-off phenomenon and in the phenomenon of veering for dispersion curves. These phenomena are explained in more detail considering a simple model, which allows accurate asymptotic analysis of the perturbation of dispersion curves in the regions of cut-off and veering.

Acoustic whispering-gallery modes in optomechanical shells

We numerically calculate the forms and frequencies of mechanical whispering-gallery modes in silica shells. Such modes were recently experimentally observed in water-filled optomechanical resonators, which constitute a bridge between optomechanics and microfluidics. We consider the three acoustic mode families of Rayleigh–Lamb waves, longitudinal waves and Love waves. Our study shows that these acoustic modes have rich velocity dispersion characteristics and can create considerable deformation of the inner surface of the shells. In this manner, a novel optomechanical interaction may be facilitated between fluids and light.

Comparison of waveguide properties of curved versus straight planar elastic layers

Dispersion equations are solved for the in-plane and anti-plane wave propagation in planar elastic layer with constant curvature. The classical Lamé formulation of displacements via elastic potentials is applied and appropriate simplifications are employed. The dispersion diagrams in each case are compared with their counterparts for a straight layer, e.g., the classical Rayleigh–Lamb solution. The curvature-induced symmetry-breaking effects are investigated for layers with symmetric boundary conditions. The role of curvature is also investigated in the cases, when the boundary conditions are not symmetrical. The elementary Bernoulli–Euler theory is employed to analyze the wave guide properties of a curved planar elastic beam in its in-plane deformation. The validity range of the Bernoulli–Euler theory is assessed via comparison of dispersion diagrams.

The appearance of boundary layers and drift flows due to high-frequency surface waves

AbstractThe classical Schlichting boundary layer theory is extended to account for the excitation of generalized surface waves in the frequency and velocity amplitude range commonly used in microfluidic applications, including Rayleigh and Sezawa surface waves and Lamb, flexural and surface-skimming bulk waves. These waves possess longitudinal and transverse displacements of similar magnitude along the boundary, often spatiotemporally out of phase, giving rise to a periodic flow shown to consist of a superposition of classical Schlichting streaming and uniaxial flow that have no net influence on the flow over a long period of time. Correcting the velocity field for weak but significant inertial effects results in a non-vanishing steady component, a drift flow, itself sensitive to both the amplitude and phase (prograde or retrograde) of the surface acoustic wave propagating along the boundary. We validate the proposed theory with experimental observations of colloidal pattern assembly in microchannels filled with dilute particle suspensions to show the complexity of the boundary layer, and suggest an asymptotic slip boundary condition for bulk flow in microfluidic applications that are actuated by surface waves.

Air-coupled sensing of leaky rayleigh waves and ZGV modes in concrete slabs

Rayleigh waves and zero-group velocity (ZGV) Lamb modes (the impact-echo test) are commonly used for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of concrete structures to extract information about material property and interior delaminations. Traditional methods in civil engineering employ point impactors to generate the waves while accelerometers measure the resulting out-of-plane motion. Though well-established, this methodology does not lend itself to efficient scanning of large areas, which is critical for monitoring the safety of infrastructure. The ability to detect these two wave types through in-air sensing of Leaky Rayleigh or ZGV Lamb waves can greatly accelerate NDE for large structures. Unfortunately, air-coupled sensing suffers from significantly decreased signal amplitude. This paper presents theoretical analysis and experimental validation efforts to amplify in-air signals resulting from Leaky Rayleigh waves and ZGV Lamb modes using a parabolic focusing mirror. A time-domain impulse response to the Ki...

Modeling and simulation of inertial drop break-up in a turbulent pipe flow downstream of a restriction

This work deals with the modeling of drop break-up in an inhomogeneous turbulent flow that develops downstream of a concentric restriction in a pipe. The proposed approach consists in coupling Euler–Lagrange simulations of the drop motion to an interface deformation model. First the turbulent flow downstream of the restriction is solved by means of direct numerical simulation. Single drop trajectories are then calculated from the instantaneous force balance acting on the drop within the turbulent field (one-way coupling). Concurrently, the interface deformation is computed assuming the drop to behave as a Rayleigh–Lamb type oscillator forced by the turbulent stress along its trajectory. Criterion for break-up is based upon a critical value of drop deformation.This model has been tested against experimental data. The flow conditions and fluids properties have been chosen to match those experimental investigations. Both turbulent flow statistics and break-up probability calculations are in good agreement with experimental data, strengthening the relevance of this approach for modeling break-up in complex unsteady flow.

Extensional and Transversal Wave Motion in Transversely Isotropic Thermoelastic Plates by Using Asymptotic Method

The present investigation is concerned with the study of extensional and transversal wave motions in an infinite homogenous transversely isotropic, thermoelastic plate by using asymptotic method in the context of coupled thermoelasticity, Lord and Shulman (1967, “The Generalized Dynamical Theory of Thermoelasticity,” J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 15, pp. 299–309), and Green and Lindsay (1972, “Thermoelasticity,” J. Elast., 2, pp. 1–7) theories of generalized thermoelasticity. The governing equations for extensional, transversal, and flexural motions have been derived from the system of three-dimensional dynamical equations of linear thermoelasticity. The asymptotic operator plate model for extensional motion in a homogeneous transversely isotropic thermoelastic plate leads to sixth degree polynomial secular equation that governs frequency and phase velocity of various possible modes of wave propagation at all wavelengths. It is shown that the purely transverse motion (SH mode), which is not affected by thermal variations, gets decoupled from rest of the motion. The Rayleigh–Lamb frequency equation for the plate is expanded in power series in order to obtain polynomial frequency equation and velocity dispersion relations. Their validation has been established with that of asymptotic method. The special cases of short and long wavelength waves are also discussed. The expressions for group velocity of extensional and transversal modes have been derived. Finally, the numerical solution is carried out for homogeneous transversely isotropic plate of single crystal of zinc material. The dispersion curves of phase velocity and attenuation coefficient are presented graphically.

The Rayleigh–Lamb wave propagation in dielectric elastomer layers subjected to large deformations

The propagation of waves in soft dielectric elastomer layers is investigated. To this end incremental motions superimposed on homogeneous finite deformations induced by bias electric fields and pre-stretch are determined. First we examine the case of mechanically traction free layer, which is an extension of the Rayleigh–Lamb problem in the purely elastic case. Two other loading configurations are accounted for too. Subsequently, numerical examples for the dispersion relations are evaluated for a dielectric solid governed by an augmented neo-Hookean strain energy. It is found that the phase speeds and frequencies strongly depend on the electric excitation and pre-stretch. These findings lend themselves at the possibility of controlling the propagation velocity as well as filtering particular frequencies with suitable choices of the electric bias field.

Generalized thermoelastic extensional and flexural wave motions in homogenous isotropic plate by using asymptotic method

In this paper the asymptotic method has been applied to investigate propagation of generalized thermoelastic waves in an infinite homogenous isotropic plate. The governing equations for the extensional, transversal and flexural motions are derived from the system of three-dimensional dynamical equations of linear theories of generalized thermoelasticity. The asymptotic operator plate model for extensional and flexural free vibrations in a homogenous thermoelastic plate leads to sixth and fifth degree polynomial secular equations, respectively. These secular equations govern frequency and phase velocity of various possible modes of wave propagation at all wavelengths. The velocity dispersion equations for extensional and flexural wave motion are deduced from the three-dimensional analog of Rayleigh–Lamb frequency equation for thermoelastic plate. The approximation for long and short waves along with expression for group velocity has also been obtained. The Rayleigh–Lamb frequency equations for the considered plate are expanded in power series in order to obtain polynomial frequency and velocity dispersion relations and its equivalence established with that of asymptotic method. The numeric values for phase velocity, group velocity and attenuation coefficients has also been obtained using MATHCAD software and are shown graphically for extensional and flexural waves in generalized theories of thermoelastic plate for solid helium material.

Effect of Rotation on Rayleigh—Lamb Waves in an Isotropic Generalized Thermoelastic Diffusive Plate

The present investigation is aimed at studying the effect of rotation on propagation of Rayleigh—Lamb waves in a homogeneous isotropic thermoelastic diffusive plate of finite width in the framework of different theories of thermoelasticity, including the Coriolis and centrifugal forces. The medium is subjected to stress-free, thermally insulated, isothermal, and chemical potential boundary conditions and is rotating about an axis perpendicular to its plane. Secular equations corresponding to the symmetric and skew-symmetric modes of the plate are derived. Phase velocities and attenuation coefficients of various possible modes of wave propagation are computed from the secular equations. Amplitudes of displacements, temperature, and concentration for symmetric and skew-symmetric modes of plate vibrations are computed numerically. The computed results are presented graphically.

Extensional wave motion in homogenous isotropic thermoelastic plate by using asymptotic method

The present investigation is concerned with the study of extensional wave motion in an infinite homogenous isotropic, thermoelastic plate by using asymptotic method. The governing equation for the extensional wave motions have been derived from the system of three-dimensional dynamical equations of linear coupled theory of thermoelasticity. All coefficients of the differential operator are expressed as explicit functions of the material parameters. The velocity dispersion equation for the extensional wave motion is deduced from the three-dimensional analog of Rayleigh–Lamb frequency equation for thermoelastic plate waves. The approximations for long and short waves and expression for group velocity are also derived. The thermoelastic Rayleigh–Lamb frequency equations for the considered plate are expanded in power series in order to obtain polynomial frequency and velocity dispersion relations whose equivalence is established to that of asymptotic method. The dispersion curves for phase velocity and attenuation coefficient are shown graphically for extensional wave motion of the plates.

Elastic waveguides: history and the state of the art. II

In this paper, the normal modes of an elastic rectangular waveguide are analyzed. We retrace the key aspects of the almost 150-year history of this problem. Using the superposition method, we have obtained an analytical solution of the problem for four types of symmetry of the wave field. In addition, we have established important differences of the dispersion characteristics of normal modes in a rectangle from the Rayleigh–Lamb modes for an infinite plate and the Pochhammer–Chree modes for a cylinder. We give also an estimate of a series of approximate theories for a rectangular waveguide. J. Fourier [28, Sec. 13]

Acoustic Surface Evanescent Wave and its Dominant Contribution to Extraordinary Acoustic Transmission and Collimation of Sound

We demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally the physical mechanism that underlies extraordinary acoustic transmission and collimation of sound through a one-dimensional decorated plate. A microscopic theory considers the total field as the sum of the scattered waves by every periodically aligned groove on the plate, which divides the total field into far-field radiative cylindrical waves and acoustic surface evanescent waves (ASEWs). Different from the well-known acoustic surface waves like Rayleigh waves and Lamb waves, ASEW is closely analogous to a surface plasmon polariton in the optical case. By mapping the total field, the experiments well confirm the theoretical calculations with ASEWs excited. The establishment of the concept of ASEW provides a new route for the integration of subwavelength acoustic devices with a structured solid surface.

Flexural and transversal wave motion in homogeneous isotropic thermoelastic plates by using asymptotic method

The present investigation is concerned with the flexural and transversal wave motion in an infinite, transversely isotropic, thermoelastic plate by asymptotic method. The governing equations for the flexural and transversal motions have been derived from the system of three-dimensional dynamical equations of linear theory of coupled thermoelasticity. The asymptotic operator plate model for free vibrations; both flexural and transversal, in a homogenous thermoelastic plate leads to fifth degree and cubic polynomial secular equations, respectively, that governs frequency and phase velocity of various possible modes of wave propagation at all wavelengths. All the coefficients of differential operator have been expressed as explicit functions of the material parameters. The velocity dispersion equations for the flexural and transversal wave motion have been deduced from the three-dimensional analog of Rayleigh–Lamb frequency equation for thermoelastic plate waves. The approximations for long and short waves and expression for group velocity have also been derived. The thermoelastic Rayleigh–Lamb frequency equations for the considered plate are expanded in power series in order to obtain polynomial frequency and velocity dispersion relations whose equivalence is established with that of asymptotic method. The dispersion curves for phase velocity, group velocity and attenuation coefficient of various flexural and transversal wave modes are shown graphically for aluminum-epoxy material elastic and thermoelastic plates.

Frequency response of pre-stressed structures with nonlinear cohesive interfaces

This paper explores two different methods to extract information about localized nonlinear shear cohesive behavior of interfaces from linear elastodynamic response. Both formulations are based on the concept of loading a cohesive interface statically into the nonlinear region and then superposing small amplitude vibrations or wave motions on the statically pre-loaded state. To a first order approximation the cohesive interface’s small amplitude dynamic behavior is assumed to be linearly compliant with the stiffness interpreted as the local slope of the cohesive law at the static pre-load level. The first investigation considers the vibrations of a beam made up of two sections partially bonded together through the depth of the beam to create a cracked interface. The dependence of the natural frequencies on the spring stiffnesses of a beam with the cracked interface replaced by bending and shear springs is calculated using first order beam theory. The dependence of the spring stiffnesses used in the vibration analysis on crack length, static pre-load, and yield stress of a Dugdale–Barenblatt cohesive zone in the interface is determined through a 2D elasto-static boundary element analysis of a cracked beam element, which treats the boundary nonlinearities directly. The second investigation concerns the dispersion relations for time-harmonic guided waves in a layer connected to a rigid substrate by a very thin interface layer of material with nonlinear and softening behavior. The interfacial spring stiffness which, is directly included in the dynamic layer boundary conditions, is again interpreted as the local slope of the cohesive law at the static pre-load level. The spring stiffnesses inferred from the dispersion relations of either SH or generalized Rayleigh–Lamb waves from a series of measurements taken at multiple pre-load levels could then be integrated to obtain the cohesive law.