Ee od eS ual
Dispersion Curves in Guided Wave Testing
Recently, I suggested that some
‘of the new NDT techniques require
fa knowledge of basies that are
‘more sophisticated than the classic
NDT methods. Here is an example
of one of those methods. As 1
problems we solve get tougher, the
solutions to those problems seem
to get more involved as wel
Aah de Migp=
Frank A. Iddings
Tutorial Projects Editor
INTRODUCTION
at is a guided wave dispersion
and its corresponding dispersion
curve? Guided waves are ultra-
sonic waves that propagate dfierently than
the more commonly used longitudinal and
shear waves. They are sitll to rayleigh
and lamb waves in that feat
{Ronurherorintinmatenae Treteroe
ity isnot only dependent on the material
(like longitudinal, shear and surface
waves) but also the thickness ofthe materi
al and frequency. Dispersion curves are
iused to describe and predict the relation-
ship between frequency, phase velodly and
group velocity, mode and thickness: Furr
Gamental tothe understanding of guided
wave analysis in NDT i the generation or
Utlization of phase velocity, group veloaty
and aeration dispersion curves, How dO
sweet carves ard we do thy come
GOVERNING EQUATIONS
All engineering problems have associat-
cd with them a goveming equation. In the
* Uilizasonic Laboratory, Department of Eng-
neering Science and Mechanics, Pennsylvania
State University, 212 Earth and Engineering
Science Building, Univesity Park, PA 16802:
(81s) 863-8025; fax (B14) 863-8164; e-mail
‘cfresm@engrpsuedu>
20 Mtr suena 2003
by Joseph L. Rose”
case of wave propagation, the governing.
‘equation is Navier's equation. Itisa second
‘order linear partial differential equation for
‘which we'd like to obtain a solution subject
to certain boundary conditions. In trying t0
solve the second order partial differential
equation, a variety of different techniques
‘could be used. If we propose a particular
solution let's say for the longitudinal dis-
placement component and lateral displace-
‘ment component a harmonic solution (os