Nonlinear acoustic characterization of micro-damaged materials through higher harmonic resonance analysis

A method developed for the analysis of nonlinear systems is applied for the first time to nondestructive testing of diverse materials using vibrations and elastic waves. This method allows to extract the vibrational/acoustical responses of the system, at the excitation frequency and importantly, also at higher harmonics, with the help of a nonlinear convolution signal analysis. It is then possible to make use of the robust nonlinear resonance method together with the harmonic generation method in order to analyze the nonlinear elastic resonances of a sample at excitation frequency harmonics. Definitions of the nonlinear hysteretic parameters associated to higher harmonic resonances are provided. The bases of the signal analysis method are also described. A higher sensitivity to the presence of gradual damage compared to the classical nonlinear resonance method is demonstrated experimentally for diverse materials and configurations. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.