Modeling guided waves for damage identification in isotropic and orthotropic plates using a local interaction simulation approach

In this paper, a numerical simulation technique based on the local interaction simulation approach (LISA)/sharp interface model (SIM) is used to study the propagation of Lamb waves in aluminum and orthotropic plates and wave interactions with damage. The LISA/SIM model allows for accurate and fast simulations of sharp changes in material properties across interfaces associated with damage or specimen boundaries. Damage in the form of holes and changes in density and/or stiffnesses are studied for three different plates. These local changes in density and stiffness have dimensions not exceeding the wave length of the interrogating wave form. Wave scatter from these damage sites is shown at different time instants and at specific spatial locations. Multiple site damage cases are studied for all the plate structures. The different scatter patterns associated with intersecting and nonintersecting surface cracks are also studied. Results obtained from a combination of single site damage cases are compared with the composite multiple site damage case to study the usability of commonly applied algorithms for identifying damage. The benefits of observing multiple directions of the displacement field are demonstrated. It is shown that the out-of-plane measurements give a clearer indication of damage sites than the in-plane measurements.