Guided wave multi-frequency damage localization method in variable-thickness structures by one pair of sensors based on frequency-dependent velocity anisotropy

Variable thickness structures are prevalent in aircraft, ships, and other machines, necessitating numerous sensors for health monitoring to reduce safety hazards. This paper presents a guided wave multi-frequency localization method based on frequency-dependent velocity anisotropy. This method achieves damage localization in variable-thickness structures with a pair of sensors and can effectively reduce the number of sensors used for monitoring. Variations in structural thickness cause a gradient in guided wave velocity that bends the propagation path. Different thickness variations with different directions cause wave velocity anisotropy. As a result, variations in thickness cause possible damage loci determined by echo time to deviate from an elliptical shape. Because the velocity anisotropy is frequency-dependent, damage loci at different frequencies are close but do not overlap and intersect only at the damage location. So, the multi-frequency method can increase the damage information acquired by a single pair of sensors, enabling damage localization. Experimental validation was conducted on a steel plate with linearly varying thicknesses. The feasibility of the multi-frequency localization method was verified by successfully locating the damage at three different locations using a pair of receiver-excitation sensors. In addition, the experiments demonstrated the capability of this multi-frequency method in improving the localization accuracy of sensor networks. The method has potential applications in monitoring systems lightweight, phased arrays, and imaging enhancement.