Krishnan Balasubramanian

A new phased array inspection scheme, called Technique to Image using Virtual Array Sources (TIVAS), is proposed to image defects at deeper locations with good lateral resolution. An array of virtual focal spots using electronic beam forming and the expanded aperture through electronic linear scanning was employed to achieve significant increase in the focal depths, with improved SNR, when compared to single element array imaging or the conventional phased array focusing technique. The image reconstruction was performed using the well known synthetic focusing approach. In this paper, the role of the depth of focus and the focal spot size on the performance of TIVAS were studied semi-analytically and through FDTD simulations. It was observed smaller virtual focal spot size provides improved lateral resolution and there is an optimum depth of focus for the smallest focal spot size achievable for a array transducer. Experiments were carried out to validate these findings. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.

Fiber reinforced composite plate-like structures have been used to achieve substantial reductions in the structural weight of both military and commercial aircrafts. For large area and layered structures, damage detection using any conventional testing methods is time consuming. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of such structures is seen as a new paradigm that will reduce maintenance costs and increase safety. The aim of the technology is to provide an early indication of physical damage. The early warning provided by an SHM system can then be used to define remedial strategies before the structural damage leads to failure. This paper describes the development and successful demonstration of a SHM system using Smart Flexible Sensor Patch (FSP) that has a built-in network of Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensors (PWAS) embedded on a thin film of dielectric material. These PWAS are arranged such that conventional cross-hole tomography (CHT) as well as modified cross-hole tomography (MCHT) can be carried out using Lamb waves. Using MCHT, the lateral extent of the damage for barely visible low-velocity impact damages (BVID) on Composite structures like wing and aileron are were imaged. The conventional CHT was deployed in a region of large aspect-ratio such as stiffeners. It was observed that disbonds of stiffener in Eleven and other structures may be effectively monitored by this method. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.

The capability of embedded piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) to perform in-situ Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) for structural health monitoring (SHM) of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite plate like structures is explored. The basic principles of Lamb wave transmission and reception with PWAS transducers were verified with simple laboratory experiments, performed on both isotropic and anisotropic plates. In the second case, Noncontact measurements for Lamb wave sensing using Laser Doppler Velocimeter were explored. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.

Numerical simulation of ultrasonic wave propagation using methods such as finite element or finite difference is computationally expensive particularly when (a) structural dimensions are high, (b) inspection at higher frequencies (due to short wavelengths), and (c) in complex materials that are not isotropic. This paper discusses a numerical technique, which is similar to FEM, but works in frequency domain and has advantage of more accurate results in quick computational time called the spectral element method (SEM). When the second order partial differential wave equation transformed to frequency domain by Continuous Fourier Transform, the wave equation transforms to ordinary differential equation (ODE) that has exact solution. This paper discusses simulation of Lamb wave modes and Time of Flight Diffraction Technique in isotropic plates. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of aircrafts is of great relevance in the present age aircraft industry. The present study demonstrates three techniques that have the potential for the SHM of multi-layered composite structures. The first technique is based on multi-transmitter-multireceiver (MTMR) technique with tomographic methods used for data reconstruction. In the MTMR, the possibility of SHM using algebraic reconstruction techniques (ART) for tomographic imaging with Lamb wave data measured in realistic materials is examined. Defects (through holes and low velocity impact delaminations) were synthetic and have been chosen to simulate impact damage in composite plates. The second technique is a single-transmitter-multi-receiver (STMR) technique that is more compact and uses reconstruction techniques that are analogous to synthetic aperture techniques. The reconstruction algorithm uses summation of the phase shifted signals to image the location of defects, portions of the plate edges, and any reflectors from inherent structural features of the component. The third technique involves a linear array of sensors across a stiffener for the detection of disbanded regions.

A higher order cylindrically guided ultrasonic wave was used for the detection and sizing of hidden pitting-type corrosion in the hidden crevice regions (between the pipe and the pipe supports) without lifting or disturbing the structural layout arrangement of the pipelines. The higher order circumferential guided waves were generated using a piezoelectric crystal based transducer, located at the accessible top region of the pipes, in a pulse-echo mode. By studying the experimental parameters such as dispersion, particle displacement, and wavelength of the ultrasonic guided wave modes, an appropriate higher order mode was selected for excitation using an appropriately designed acrylic angle wedge that conforms to the pipe's outer curvature. A manual pipe crawler was designed with a provision for holding the wedge, and the essential hardware such as data acquisition card, encoder, etc., was integrated with the system so that the corrosion was mapped in real time during the scanning of the pipes. The system was validated on pipes ranging from 6 in. to 24 in. outer diameters of wall thicknesses up to 12 mm, by mapping defects as small as 1.5 mm diameter and 25% penetration wall thickness. A 2D finite element model using ABAQUS® was used to understand the wave propagation in pipe wall and its interaction with pinhole-type defects. Copyright © 2008 by ASME.