Wideband dispersion removal and mode separation of Lamb waves based on two-component laser interferometer measurement

Ultrasonic Lamb waves are considered as a sensitive and effective tool for nondestructive testing and evaluation of plate-like or pipe-like structures. The nature of multimode and dispersion causes the wave packets to spread, and the modes overlap in both time and frequency domains as they propagate through the structures. By using a two-component laser interferometer technique, in combination with a priori knowledge of the dispersion characteristics and wave structure information of Lamb wave modes, a two-component signal processing technique is presented for implementing dispersion removal and mode separation simultaneously for two modes mixture signals of Lamb waves. The proposed algorithm is first processed and verified using synthetic Lamb wave signals. Then, the two-component displacements test experiment is conducted using different aluminum plate samples. Moreover, we confirm the effectiveness and robustness of this method.     

Simultaneous measurement of the phase and group velocities of Lamb waves in a laser-generation based imaging method

This paper describes a novel approach to the simultaneous measurement of the phase and group velocities of Lamb waves based on images of their propagation. The laser-generation based imaging method was first introduced to obtain images of Lamb wave propagation. The time series of snapshot images is used to make a position-time diagram, and the velocities can be estimated based on the slopes of the position curves. Thus, the phase and group velocities can be obtained by measuring the phase advance and energy flow of the Lamb wave, respectively. Details of the principle of simultaneous measurement are presented herein. Experimental verification was also performed in the range of 0.2-3.0 MHz-mm using aluminum plates. The average errors between experiment and theory in the phase and group velocities were 3.31% and 5.68%, respectively.     

用分数阶微分实现时频重叠多模式兰姆波的模式分离

为了分离时频重叠多模式超声兰姆波,提出了一种用分数阶微分理论实现多模式兰姆波模式分离的方法。以时频重叠的S1和A1模式混合信号为例,用赛利斯分布作为幅值谱的模型,首先对信号做频散补偿,由补偿后信号幅值谱分数阶微分推导了幅值谱特征参数的计算式并根据信号模型重建幅值谱,然后结合兰姆波的频散特性推导出对应的相位谱,并通过幅值谱和相位谱重构各模式的信号,实现模式分离。对1 mm钢板中仿真时频重叠的S₁和A₁模式信号分离结果显示分离出信号的幅值和带宽相对误差小于6%,中心频率相对误差小于0.25%。实验结果也证实了方法的可行性。因此当混合信号幅值谱不完全交叠时,本方法可以实现多模式兰姆波信号的分离,有助于多模式兰姆波频散信号的分析和识别。      

基于频散补偿和分数阶微分的多模式兰姆波分离

由于兰姆波的多模和频散特性,实际检测时在同一激发频率下存在多种模式的混合信号,而各模式信号有不同的频散特性,使得在时频混叠的情况下兰姆波的检测变得十分复杂.本文在频散补偿的基础上,通过时延函数建模,依靠不同模式频散趋势的差异性,将时频混叠信号的分离问题转化为部分模式混叠信号的分离问题.基于分数阶微分的理论,用信号幅值谱分数阶微分极大值和对应频率分别与微分阶次拟合多项式实现特征参数的提取并依靠特征参数重建幅值谱.结合相位谱重构时域信号以实现部分混叠信号中频散补偿后的模式的分离.最后恢复频散获得分离后的兰姆波信号.仿真和实验结果表明,本文方法不仅可以实现时频混叠多模式兰姆波信号的分离,更能保证分离精度,有助于复杂多模式频散信号的分离与处理的进一步研究.     

多通道超声兰姆波检测板状结构中的裂纹

超声兰姆(Lamb)波在结构缺陷检测方面愈来愈受到重视,但目前Lamb波的应用局限于单信号源激励,单通道接收的方法,容易受到噪声干扰,其后续的信号分析处理也比较复杂。本文旨在采用多通道Lamb波对板状结构中的裂纹进行定量分析与诊断。在铝板的表面凿刻出不同深度的凹槽作为裂纹,通过线阵换能器采集在一定传播距离内的多通道Lamb波信号,并采用二维傅里叶变换分析在不同深度的裂纹下,Lamb波模式能量的变化规律。结果表明,相对于完好铝板中的Lamb波信号,裂纹的存在会使Lamb波发生模式转换现象,并且转换模式能量百分比随裂纹深度的增加而线性增加。其结果为Lamb波评价板状结构中的裂纹状况提供了一种可能的方法。     

Micro-crack detection of nonlinear Lamb wave propagation in three-dimensional plates with mixed-frequency excitation

We propose a nonlinear ultrasonic technique by using the mixed-frequency signals excited Lamb waves to conduct micro-crack detection in thin plate structures. Simulation models of three-dimensional(3D) aluminum plates and composite laminates are established by ABAQUS software, where the aluminum plate contains buried crack and composite laminates comprises cohesive element whose thickness is zero to simulate delamination damage. The interactions between the S_0 mode Lamb wave and the buried micro-cracks of various dimensions are simulated by using the finite element method.Fourier frequency spectrum analysis is applied to the received time domain signal and fundamental frequency amplitudes,and sum and difference frequencies are extracted and simulated. Simulation results indicate that nonlinear Lamb waves have different sensitivities to various crack sizes. There is a positive correlation among crack length, height, and sum and difference frequency amplitudes for an aluminum plate, with both amplitudes decreasing as crack thickness increased, i.e.,nonlinear effect weakens as the micro-crack becomes thicker. The amplitudes of sum and difference frequency are positively correlated with the length and width of the zero-thickness cohesive element in the composite laminates. Furthermore,amplitude ratio change is investigated and it can be used as an effective tool to detect inner defects in thin 3D plates.     

一种定征固体板表面性质的兰姆波方法

基于Ritec-SNAP系统建立了兰姆波实验系统，分析了用兰姆波幅频特性定征固体板表面性质的可行性。实验结果表明，用高阶、多模兰姆波的幅频特性可准确定征固体板表面性质的变化。     

Separation of multimode Lamb waves overlapped in time and frequency domains by using fractional differential

To separate multimode Lamb wave overlapped both in time and frequency domains,a multimode Lamb wave signal separation method by using fractional differential is proposed.The Tsallis function is used as the model of the amplitude spectrum.The amplitude spectra of Lamb wave signals are divided into fractional order differential.The characteristic parameters of each mode are extracted by using the polynomial between the maximum amplitude and the differential order as well as the polynomial between the peak frequency and the differential order.The corresponding phase spectrum of each mode is derived from the dispersion characteristics.The signal of each mode is constructed through the amplitude spectrum and phase spectrum.The simulated results of S1 and A1 modes in a 1 mm-thick steel plate show that the relative errors of amplitude and bandwidth of both modes are less than 6%,and that the relative errors of central frequency of both modes are less than 0.25%.Therefore,this method could be used to separate the time-frequency overlapped multimode Lamb wave signals.It is helpful for the analysis and recognition of multimode Lamb wave signals.     

Laser-ultrasonic generation of Lamb waves in the reaction force range

The Laser-ultrasonic generation of Lamb waves in an elastic plate is investigated theoretically and experimentally for a laser source whose intensity is high enough to create reaction forces (normal tractions) on the illuminated surface of the specimen. The analytical solutions for transient waves are derived using the integral transform method first by considering an arbitrary source shape and time excitation function, and then specifically for circular and line source shapes. The simulation study allows us not only to predict the behavior of individual wave modes but also to construct the overall responses; thus it helps us better understand the wave excitation mechanisms. The dispersive and multi-modal nature of laser-generated Lamb waves is presented by showing the spatiotemporal Fourier transform of displacements obtained by the simulation study. The transform, displayed in the frequency-wave number domain, enunciates the characteristics of the propagating individual Lamb wave modes. The simulation results are then compared with the 2-D Fourier transform of a set of experimental data obtained by scanning an aluminum plate specimen.     

Assessment of fatigue damage in solid plates through the ultrasonic Lamb wave approach

Changes(degradations) in the mechanical properties of solid plates induced by cyclic fatigue loading will influence the features of ultrasonic Lamb wave propagation,such as dispersion and attenuation.This paper has qualitatively analyzed the feasibility of using the amplitude-frequency characteristics and the stress wave factors(SWFs) of ultrasonic Lamb wave propagation to assess fatigue damage in solid plates.Liquid wedge transducers located on the surface of solid plates tested are used to generate and detect the Lamb wave signals.Based on the Ritec-SNAP ultrasonic measurement system,the experimental setup for assessing the degree of fatigue damage in solid plates using ultrasonic Lamb wave approach has been established.For several rolled aluminum sheets subjected to tension-tension cyclic loading,the experimental examinations have been performed for the relationships between the amplitude-frequency characteristics of ultrasonic Lamb wave propagation and the numbers of loading cycles(denoted by N),as well as the correlations between the Lamb wave SWFs and N.The experimental results show that the Lamb wave SWFs decrease monotonously and sensitively with the increment of cycles of fatigue loading.Based on the correlations between the Lamb wave SWFs and N,it is further verified that ultrasonic Lamb wave propagation combined with the Lamb wave SWFs can be used to effectively assess early fatigue damage in solid plates.     

各向同性板中盲孔缺陷的兰姆波拓扑成像

将拓扑成像用于各向同性板中盲孔缺陷的兰姆波检测。由于缺陷关于板中面是非对称的,兰姆波模式转换的影响不能忽略。成像方法是基于无缺陷参考媒质中两个超声场(直接声场和伴随声场)的计算。以传感器激励信号为声源,计算直接声场;以盲孔引起的兰姆波散射信号为声源,计算伴随声场。拓扑成像通过直接声场与伴随声场的相乘,可消除无缺陷处多模式混叠的干扰,提高成像分辨率。建立有限元模型,通过不同时刻的瞬态声场图可视化地显示多模式兰姆波在缺陷处的聚焦过程,揭示拓扑成像方法的物理机理。数值结果表明,相对于经典的延迟求和以及时间反转方法,拓扑成像对盲孔缺陷有更强的适应能力。即使对于复杂的包含模式转换的兰姆波信号,拓扑图像的质量依然没有受到影响。文中提出的成像方法对板类结构中非对称缺陷的兰姆波检测具有一定的应用潜力。      

Elastic constants measurement of anisotropic Olivier wood plates using air-coupled transducers generated Lamb wave and ultrasonic bulk wave

A hybrid elastic wave method is applied to determine the anisotropic constants of Olive wood specimen considered as an orthotropic solid. The method is based on the measurements of the Lamb wave velocities as well as the bulk ultrasonic wave velocities. Electrostatic, air-coupled, ultrasonic transducers are used to generate and receive Lamb waves which are sensitive to material properties. The variation of phase velocity with frequency is measured for several modes propagating parallel and normal to the fiber direction along a thin Olivier wood plates. A numerical model based mainly on an optimization method is developed; it permits to recover seven out of nine elastic constants with an uncertainty of about 15%. The remaining two elastic constants are then obtained from bulk wave measurements. The experimental Lamb phase velocities are in good agreement with the calculated dispersion curves. The evaluation of Olive wood elastic properties has been performed in the low frequency range where the Lamb length wave is large in comparison with the heterogeneity extent. Within the interval errors, the obtained elastic tensor doesn’t reveal a large deviation from a uniaxial symmetry.     

铝板中Lamb波检测的实验研究

Lamb波在传播过程中具有频散及多模态特性,若相关参数选择不当,会导致在实际应用中信号相互叠加而无法识别。本文基于Lamb波的频散曲线是其频散方程实数解分布的特点,采用二分法绘制了铝板中Lamb波的频散曲线、波结构曲线和入射角曲线。根据曲线选择S0模态的Lamb波对1mm厚铝板中不同类型的缺陷进行检测。实验结果表明,S0模态的Lamb波对裂纹型缺陷和贯穿型缺陷十分敏感,但对于裂纹型缺陷,其幅值变化并不与缺陷大小成线性关系,并且S0模态Lamb波的声场指向性十分集中,在偏离声束轴线时无法检测到缺陷。     

Lamb wave topological imaging for blind hole defects in isotropic plates

The research aims at validating the ability of topological imaging to blind holes in isotropic plates using Lamb waves. Due to the defect is not symmetric around the midplane of the plate, the effect of Lamb mode conversion will have to be taken into account.The imaging method is based on two computations of ultrasonic fields, one forward and one adjoint, performed for the defect-free reference medium. The excited signal and scattered Lamb waves caused by the blind hole, are used as emitting sources to compute the forward problem and the adjoint problem, respectively. With the help of the finite element simulations,the natural refocusing process of the multimode Lamb waves at the defect location is visually demonstrated by the transient acoustic field snapshots at the different moments to strengthen the physical mechanism of the topological imaging method. The numerical results demonstrate that topological imaging has relatively stronger applicability to the blind hole in contrast to classical Delay And Sum(DAS) method and Time Reversal(TR) method. The topological imaging could handle complex Lamb wave signals containing mode conversions without the imaging quality being affected. The proposed imaging method presents a certain developing potential for detecting and imaging asymmetric defects in plate-like configurations using Lamb waves.     

兰姆波检测信号的匹配追踪时频分析

为有效去除兰姆波检测信号中的冗余信息和识别多个模态,应用匹配追踪方法对兰姆波信号进行处理。在Chirplet原子基础上添加弯曲算子进行改进,以更好地匹配频散和多模式兰姆波信号的特征。由改进的Chirplet原子组成过完备字典,使用基于遗传算法的匹配追踪(GAMP)信号稀疏分解方法,从过完备字典中选出与待分析信号相匹配的最佳原子,利用最佳匹配原子和对应的分解系数进行信号重构和时频分析。研究结果表明,改进后的Chirplet原子更能反映出兰姆波信号的非线性时频变化特征,得到的时频分布与频散曲线的弯曲特性能很好的吻合。采用改进后的Chirplet原子匹配追踪方法可以获取更加精确的走时信息,为后续兰姆波损伤定位成像奠定基础。      

基于模式分离的兰姆波逆时偏移成像

应用频率域逆时偏移方法实现各向同性和各向异性板中缺陷的兰姆波成像.由于缺陷引起的多模态散射信号会在重建图像中形成伪像,根据基本导波模式振动对称性的差别进行了模式分离预处理.基于多元阵列超声技术,开展了铝板和复合板内缺陷频率域逆时偏移超声成像方法的数值仿真研究.首先,建立有限元模型,采用环形传感器数值采集由缺陷引起的兰姆波散射信号,然后,将采集到的多模式散射信号进行模式分离处理,再将模式分离后的兰姆波散射信号经时间反转后并在相应的接收器处重新激励,在频域中运用格林函数反向传播兰姆波散射信号,获取监测区域的声场信息,与正向传播声场进行互相关,重建缺陷图像.首先对铝板中单缺陷以及复合材料板中相邻的两个相同缺陷进行数值仿真,对比有无模式分离处理的缺陷逆时偏移成像效果,体现出模式分离的重要性.在此基础上,采用逆时偏移方法对复合板材内位置邻近、深度不同的双缺陷进行识别.数值结果表明,模式分离预处理后的缺陷重建图像能够有效去除多模式干扰产生的伪像.文中提出的成像方法对各向同性板和各向异性板内缺陷的检测和成像具有很好的发展潜力,可以准确地探测多个缺陷的形状、尺寸和深度.     

Mode selection of Lamb waves for the evaluation of solid plates with liquid loading

This paper studies the mode selection of Lamb waves for evaluating solid plates with liquid loading. For this purpose, the Lamb wave selected should have the features such as zero normal displacement components at the plate surface in contact with liquid, small dispersion, and maximum group velocity. It is found that when the phase velocity of Lamb wave is equal to the longitudinal wave velocity of the plate material, its normal displacement at the plate surface is always zero. Through the numerical analyses, the specific S₂ Lamb wave that has zero normal displacement component at the plate surface, small dispersion and maximum group velocity compared with the other Lamb waves has been found. With respect to the specific S₂ Lamb wave, some experimental examinations have been carried out. It is found that the liquid loading on the plate surface has less influence on the specific S₂ Lamb wave signal but it can effectively eliminate the other signals. Moreover, the specific S₂ Lamb wave selected exhibits the capability of detecting multiple defects in the solid plate with the liquid loading. It can be concluded that the specific S₂ Lamb wave selected is suitable for the evaluation of solid plates with liquid loading.     

基于群速度失配的超声兰姆波二次谐波的时域测量方法

考虑到发射和接收换能器对超声兰姆波时域二次谐波信号所带来的不可避免的影响,提出一种基于基频与二倍频兰姆波群速度失配的超声兰姆波二次谐波的时域测量方法。当基频与二倍频超声兰姆波的相速度匹配而群速度失配时,在超声兰姆波传播过程中所发生的二次谐波信号,在时域上可与源于斜劈换能器的二次谐波信号相分离。采用仅源自于基频兰姆波的时域二次谐波的积分振幅,定量描述兰姆波二次谐波的发生效率。以铝板中传播的兰姆波为例,给出了时域二次谐波的具体测量过程。本文提出的测量方法放宽了超声兰姆波二次谐波的测量条件,且扣除了换能器对二次谐波信号所带来的影响,所测得的二次谐波信号完全来自于基频兰姆波时域信号的二次谐波发生效应。      

Guided wave arrays for high resolution inspection

The paper describes a general approach for processing data from a guided wave transducer array on a plate-like structure. The raw data set from such an array contains time-domain signals from each transmitter-receiver combination. The technique is based on linear superposition of signals in the frequency domain with some amplitude and phase factors and can be applied to any array geometry and any types of array elements. The problem of finding optimal coefficients, which allow the best resolution to be achieved with the minimum number of array elements, is investigated. It is shown that improvements in resolution are obtained at the expense of sensitivity to noise. A method of quantifying this sensitivity is presented. Results are shown that illustrate the application of the technique to a linear array and an array of circular geometry (containing a single ring of elements). Experimental data obtained from a guided wave array containing electromagnetic acoustic transducer elements for exciting and detecting the S0 Lamb wave mode in a 5-mm-thick aluminum plate are processed with different algorithms and the results are discussed. Generalization of the technique for the case of multimode media is suggested.     

Analysis of Second-Harmonic Generation of Low-Frequency Dilatational Lamb Waves in a Two-Layered Composite Plate

We analyze the effect of second-harmonic generation(SHG) of primary Lamb wave propagation in a two-layered composite plate, and then investigate the influence of interfacial properties on the said effect at low frequency. It is found that changes in the interfacial properties essentially affect the dispersion relation and then the maximum cumulative distance of the double-frequency Lamb wave generated. This will remarkably influence the efficiency of SHG. To overcome the complications arising from the inherent dispersion and multimode natures in analyzing the SHG effect of Lamb waves, the present work focuses on the analysis of the SHG effect of low-frequency dilatational Lamb wave propagation. Both the numerical analysis and finite element simulation indicate that the SHG effect of low-frequency dilatational Lamb wave propagation is found to be much more sensitive to changes in the interfacial properties than primary Lamb waves. The potential of using the SHG effect of low-frequency dilatational Lamb waves to characterize a minor change in the interfacial properties is analyzed.