Modelling guided waves in acoustoelastic and complex waveguides: From SAFE theory to an open-source tool

Area of Science:

• Solid Mechanics
• Materials Science
• Computational Engineering

Background:

• Guided wave (GW) techniques are crucial for material characterization, damage detection, and structural health monitoring.
• A deep understanding of GW behavior is fundamental for advancing these diagnostic methods.
• Existing methods often lack the flexibility to handle complex waveguide geometries and material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an open-source dispersion calculator for guided waves (GWs) in acoustoelastic and complex waveguides.
• To provide a comprehensive tool for analyzing GW propagation in isotropic and anisotropic materials under various conditions.
• To facilitate a deeper understanding and utilization of GWs in research and engineering applications.

Main Methods:

• Employed the semi-analytical finite element (SAFE) method as the foundational approach.
• Utilized 1D-Gauss-Lobatto-Legendre SAFE (1D-GLL-SAFE) for plate waveguides, optimizing accuracy and efficiency.
• Applied 2D-Gauss SAFE with triangular meshing for general waveguides, enhancing meshing convenience.
• Incorporated different acoustoelasticity theories to model GWs under mechanical loading.

Main Results:

• Developed SAFEDC (SAFE-based dispersion calculator), an open-source tool for GW dispersion analysis.
• SAFEDC accurately calculates GWs in pre-stressed isotropic waveguides, general cross-sections, and complex laminates.
• The tool provides comprehensive GW features, including phase/group velocities, wave numbers, displacement/stress/strain structures, and propagation animations.

Conclusions:

• The developed SAFEDC tool offers a versatile and efficient solution for analyzing guided waves in diverse and complex structures.
• It significantly aids researchers and engineers in understanding GW behavior for applications in material characterization and structural health monitoring.
• The open-source nature of SAFEDC promotes wider adoption and further development in the field.