Theoretical foundations of ultrasonic nondestructive testing of multilayer articles manufactured from composites with rubber-like coatings: I. Simulation of the process of excitation and propagation of elastic waves along a cylindrical shell

A mathematical description of the propagation of ultrasonic vibrations in a layered structure is presented. The problem of developing a mathematical model for the process of ultrasonic inspection of multilayer articles manufactured from polymer composite materials (PCMs), including materials with rubber-like coatings, is considered. This model must be suitable for practical applications; i.e., it must have a relatively simple algorithm for obtaining a solution and must ensure an accuracy of the numerical values of the calculated quantities that is acceptable for practice. This study includes three sections: (i) simulating the process of excitation of elastic waves and their propagation along a bent surface; (ii) simulating the process of wave scattering at a specific-type crack (flaw), e.g., at the joints between improperly glued plastic layers or between a plastic layer and a rubber-like coating, etc; and (iii) studying the model and process of ultrasonic nondestructive testing of multilayer articles produced from PCMs with rubber-like coatings.