Scattering of waves by flaws in anisotropic laminated plates

The strip element method (SEM) is used to investigate wave scattering by rectangular flaws in anisotropic laminated plates. The plates containing flaws are divided by junctions into domains in which the SEM is applied. For each domain, SEM equations are obtained which give a relationship between the traction and displacement vector on the vertical boundaries. A set of equations which gives a relationship between the traction and displacement vector on the junctions is then obtained by assembling the SEM equations for all the domains. This set of equations is solved by using the conditions on;he junctions. Scattered wave fields in the frequency domain for isotropic and composite plates with rectangular flaws are computed and discussed in comparison with results for corresponding plates without flaws. A technique for determining the length of a rectangular flaw in a plate is also presented. The results presented in this paper are of importance and could be used in the characterization of flaws in anisotropic laminated plates. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited