APL390 Expt 6

Guided Wave Based Damage Detection

Group- 4
(sub group -2)

Jai Shankar 2020AM10651

Hridey Gupta 2020AM10650

Raunak Choudhary 2020AM10664

Aim: To detect damage in structures using guided wave

Description of Experiment
Guided wave methodologies have become increasingly important in non-destructive
testing, serving as effective tools for identifying structural damage. Lamb waves, known for
their distinctive dispersion characteristics, provide valuable information about the integrity
of materials. This study is designed to ascertain the group velocities associated with both
A and S Lamb wave modes. The goal is to compare the experimental results with
analytical predictions. Additionally, the investigation will delve into the scattering behaviour
of Lamb waves, aiming to detect and characterise any damage present in the tested
structure

Technique -
Piezoelectric Transducers are often used to generate guided waves. They can convert
electrical energy into mechanical vibrations, producing waves that propagate through the
structure. These transducers can act both as an actuator and also as a sensor , by using a
pair of two piezoelectric transducers we generate a wave by one and sense it by another .
The damage can be detected by observing an extra peek between the A and S lamb wave
modes.

Apparatus-
The experimental setup is a set of crucial apparatus for the implementation of guided wave
based damage detection:
1. Piezoelectric Transducers: These are made of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) disks,
functioning as both actuators and sensors, these are used in generating and
receiving Lamb waves.
2. Function Generator: A 33500B waveform generator is used to generate tone burst
excitation signals tailored to specific frequencies, which are further required for the
initiation of Lamb waves.
3. Amplifier: An amplifier is used to deliver a high-voltage input (80V peak-to-peak)
necessary to effectively drive the PZT transducers.
4. Data Acquisition(DAQ) System:A DAQ system is used to capture sensor signals
at sampling rates of up to 80 MHz.
5. Computer: A computer with LabVIEW software, a desktop PC assumes the role of
the control hub, overseeing the function generator, DAQ system, and overall data
acquisition process.
6. Metal Structure:Serving as the foundational material for assessing guided wave
behaviour and detecting potential damage within the structure.
Setup of the Experiment:
Specimen used:
The structure which is used as the test specimen is made up of aluminium having
dimensions of 1.5 m x 1.2 m x 3 mm.
Transducers orientation:
We used epoxy adhesive to fix two PZT disks with a diameter of 10 mm to the plate's
surface - one serving as an actuator, while the other as a sensor. There are total 4 PZT’s
oriented in a rectangle shape. 1 pair of PZT don't have any damage on the line joining
them, but the another pair have some notch type damage in between them.which is
detected later in the experiment.
Generation of Excitation Signals:
As for the required mode of Lamb wave we produce Tone bursts signal with a 3-cycle
duration with frequencies ranging from 100 to 500 kHz. The function generator is used to
produce these signals.
Introduction of Damage:
To simulate damage, a deliberate 2.2 mm wide notch is created at a specific location on
the plate. As explained earlier this damage notch is present between two of the PZT
transducers.
Data Collection:
Initial responses are recorded from the undamaged plate, followed by responses after the
introduction of damage. Comparative analysis of signals in the time domain is performed.
Signal Analysis:
Additional analysis, such as employing wavelet transforms, can be executed using
software to quantify parameters related to the detected damage.

This arrangement facilitates the generation, propagation, sensing, and analysis of Lamb
waves, thereby enabling structural health monitoring and the detection of damage in thin
plate structures.
Experimental Procedure
1. We have the aluminium plate of dimensions 1.5m × 1m × 3mm. Clean the surface
of the plate and visually inspect for any pre-existing flaws on the surface.
2. Now as the next step , position the PZT transducers at the designated locations and
fix them using the adhesive. The orientation of the PZT was :

3. link the function generator to the amplifier input. Connect the amplifier output to the
actuator transducer, and link the sensor transducer to an analogue data acquisition
system input.
4. Set the function generator parameters to generate 3-count tone bursts within the
frequency range of 100 − 500 kHz.
5. Configure the data acquisition system to sample at rates ranging from 20 − 80MHz.
6. Take Baseline Measurements: Apply the tone burst signals and capture the sensor
response waveform. Enhance signal-to-noise ratio by averaging multiple
acquisitions.
7. Create a 2.2mm wide notch at the specified location on the plate surface.
 8. Take Damaged Measurements:Replicate the tone burst generation and conduct
data acquisition after introducing the notch defect.
9. Analyse the data: Compare waveforms from the intact and damaged conditions in
the time domain.Employ additional signal processing techniques to quantitatively
assess damage parameters.

Results And Discussion

We have done the experiment at 150 Khz

Group Wave Velocities:

Utilising the recorded signal data, the group velocities were computed for both the
experimental and Theoretical .. The dot on the above line(blue) is S0 wave velocity and
the dot on below line(yellow) is A0. The calculated velocities are as follows:

experimental Specimen: Group Velocity = [3125] m/s

Theoretical:Group Velocity = [2972.3] m/s

Undamaged:

V1 average indicates the S0 wave and v2 average indicates the A0 wave.

Damaged Specimen:
Remarkably, the damaged specimen exhibited an additional mode in the acquired signal
data absent in the undamaged specimen. This supplementary mode in the damaged
signal signifies a unique wave propagation linked specifically to the presence of damage.

Comparison between the damaged and undamaged graph:

Difference of Undamaged and Damaged graph

As we can see from the data that V1 average of Undamaged Wave is near the v1 average
of Damaged wave , they are S0 wave velocity, the V2 average of Undamaged Wave is
near the V2 average of the Damaged wave , they are A0 wave velocity. V3 average of
Damaged Wave have velocity in between so, it's a mixed wave coming from the damaged
part. Hence the damaged part is between those sensors.

References
[1] Su, Z., & Ye, L. (2009). Identification of damage using Lamb waves: from fundamentals
to
applications (Vol. 48). Springer Science & Business Media.
[2] Mitra, M., & Gopalakrishnan, S. (2016). Guided wave based structural health
monitoring: A
review. Smart Materials and Structures, 25(5), 053001.