Experimental observation of elastic-wave dispersion in bounded solids of various configurations

Dispersion characteristics of multiple longitudinal modes of elastic-wave propagation in bounded solids of various configurations were observed using a simple and efficient experimental technique. The technique involves (1) transmitting a short elastic-wave pulse into the material using a noncontacting magnetostrictive sensor (MsS), (2) detecting transient waveforms of the transmitted wave using another MsS, and (3) performing time-frequency analysis on the detected signals using the short-time Fourier transform (STFT). Data acquired from a solid cylinder, cylindrical tube, square rod, reinforcing rod, and seven-wire strand are given and discussed based on known theories. (C) 1996 Acoustical Society of America.