Lamb wave propagation modelling for damage detection: I. Two-dimensional analysis

Wave propagation modelling is important for reliable damage detection based on Lamb waves. A number of different numerical computational techniques have been developed for wave propagation studies. The local interaction simulation approach, used for modelling sharp interfaces and discontinuities in complex media, has been applied effectively for numerical simulations of elastic wave interaction with structural damage. The paper builds upon this experience and reports numerical investigations of Lamb wave propagation modelling for damage detection in metallic structures. The ultimate objective of the investigations is to demonstrate that numerical simulations can significantly ease the monitoring strategy used for damage detection with Lamb waves. The interaction of fundamental Lamb wave modes with a rectangular damage slot in an aluminium plate is investigated as an example. For the sake of completeness, the first part of the paper forms an introduction to wave propagation studies for damage detection. The local interaction simulation approach is implemented. This is followed by a series of two-dimensional studies of wave interaction with damage.