Guided Lamb Wave Nondestructive Evaluation for Metallic Structure Integrity Inspection
Abstract
Nondestructive evaluation (NDE), also referred to as NDT (testing) or NDI (inspection), can utilize multiple methods in order to inspect the specimen including: guided wave testing, leak testing, radiographic testing, and several others. In this study, we utilized guided Lamb waves in order to detect discontinuities or imperfections in metallic structures that may not be visible or easily accessible. Common uses for NDE include: airplanes, piping, and railway tracks. Airplanes are good candidates for NDE because they are constantly subjected to high pressures which cause materials to form small imperfections. Using NDE, engineers are able to fix small issues before they grow into potential life threatening risks. In order to test metallic structures an ACT (air-coupled transducer), SLDV (scanning laser Doppler vibrometer), and a function generator were used. The ACT would excite 120 KHz tone bursts and the SLDV would scan for the propagating waves. With the resulting wave forms from the SLDV we were able to accurately detect a surface mounted quartz and a crack in a 1mm thick aluminum plate as well as approximate the most effective incident angle and distance of the ACT.
Guided Lamb Wave Nondestructive Evaluation for Metallic Structure Integrity Inspection
Founders Hall 250 B
Nondestructive evaluation (NDE), also referred to as NDT (testing) or NDI (inspection), can utilize multiple methods in order to inspect the specimen including: guided wave testing, leak testing, radiographic testing, and several others. In this study, we utilized guided Lamb waves in order to detect discontinuities or imperfections in metallic structures that may not be visible or easily accessible. Common uses for NDE include: airplanes, piping, and railway tracks. Airplanes are good candidates for NDE because they are constantly subjected to high pressures which cause materials to form small imperfections. Using NDE, engineers are able to fix small issues before they grow into potential life threatening risks. In order to test metallic structures an ACT (air-coupled transducer), SLDV (scanning laser Doppler vibrometer), and a function generator were used. The ACT would excite 120 KHz tone bursts and the SLDV would scan for the propagating waves. With the resulting wave forms from the SLDV we were able to accurately detect a surface mounted quartz and a crack in a 1mm thick aluminum plate as well as approximate the most effective incident angle and distance of the ACT.
