Guided wave structural health monitoring using CLoVER transducers in composite materials

The guided wave (GW) field excited by piezoelectric wafers and piezocomposite transducers in carbon-fiber composite materials is experimentally investigated with applications to structural health monitoring. This investigation supports the characterization of the composite long-range variable-length emitting radar (CLoVER) transducer introduced by the authors. A systematic approach is followed where composite configurations with different levels of anisotropy are analyzed. In particular, unidirectional, cross-ply [0/90](3S) and quasi-isotropic [0/45/-45/90](2S) IM7-based composite plates are employed. A combination of laser vibrometry and finite element analysis is used to determine the in-plane wave speed and peak-to-peak amplitude distribution in each substrate considered. The results illustrate the effect of the material anisotropy on GW propagation through the steering effect where the wavepackets do not generally travel along the direction in which they are launched. After characterizing the effect of substrate anisotropy on the GW field, the performance of the CLoVER transducer to detect damage in various composite configurations is explored. It is found that the directionality and geometry of the device is effective in detecting the presence and identifying the location of simulated defects in different composite layups.