Sistemas de ensaios não destrutivos por ondas guiadas despertam cada vez mais a atenção tanto da indústria, como da academia. Isso deve-se, principalmente, às possibilidades que as ondas guiadas permitem, como maior área de triagem que o ultrassom convencional. Porém a técnica tem suas limitações, já que esta apenas gera uma estimativa da localização de um defeito e não a sua dimensão. Nessa limitação, algoritmos tomográficos apresentam uma possibilidade de avanço da técnica, pois permitem determinar não só a localização de corrosões e defeitos, mas também seu dimensionamento. Este trabalho apresenta tomografia de difração como uma alternativa para avaliação de integridade estrutural. Primeiramente, utilizou-se análise por métodos numéricos para mostrar a validade dos algoritmos e posteriormente foi realizado um experimento em uma chapa real com o objetivo de reconstruir a imagem do defeito. / Guided waves nondestructive testing systems are increasingly attracting industrial and academic attention. The mainly reason for this attention is the possibility of screening a large area than conventional ultrasound technique. However, Guided Waves Testing has limitations, since it gives only an estimation of the location of a defect, but not the dimensions. Tomographic algorithms come up with an improvement of the technique, because it allows discovery not only the location of corrosions and defects, but the dimensions too. This work brings Diffraction Tomography as an alternative to structural health monitoring. First, a numerical analysis was implemented to demonstrate the validity of the algorithms, after that an experiment in a real plate was made with the objective to recover the defect image.

A utilização de ondas guiadas em técnicas de monitoramento de integridade estrutural tem se mostrado uma alternativa interessante para economia de tempo e de custos de operação. Técnicas com ondas guiadas apresentam a característica de monitorar trechos extensos de uma estrutura a partir de um único ponto de acesso, permitindo a inspeção de partes remotas e de difícil acesso. Entre os modos fundamentais de propagação de ondas guiadas em chapas, o modo SH0 possui a vantagem de não ser dispersivo, além de sofrer menores atenuações ao se propagar em superfícies em contato com fluidos. Neste trabalho é proposto um modelo de transdutor do modo SH0 de forma omnidirecional em uma chapa de aço utilizando um arranjo com cerâmicas piezoelétricas, que permita inspecionar determinada área de um componente através de um único modo de propagação. Para caracterizar e compreender o comportamento da resposta obtida foram realizadas simulações numéricas parametrizando características do modelo proposto, como o número de elementos piezoelétricos e dimensões geométricas dos componentes do transdutor. Para validação dos resultados do modelo numérico foram construídos modelos experimentais do transdutor, os quais foram instalados sobre uma chapa de aço de 2mm de espessura para verificação dos modos de propagação emitidos. Avaliando a relação entre intensidades de cada modo emitido e a qualidade da emissão de SH0 foi possível identificar as frequências que apresentaram resposta com a característica desejada. Também foi verificado o comportamento dos transdutores construídos ao serem excitados por ondas propagando na chapa, avaliando a sua utilização também como receptores. / The use of guided waves in structural health monitoring techniques has already proved to be an interesting alternative to reduce inspection time and overall operational costs. Guided waves techniques enable monitoring large structures from one single access point, allowing the inspection of distant and hard access parts. Among the fundamental propagation modes of guided waves in plates, the SH0 mode has the advantage of being non dispersive, as well as being subject to less attenuation when propagating through surfaces in contact with fluids. In this work, it is proposed one omnidirectional SH0 mode transducer in a steel plate using a piezoelectric ceramic array, which allows inspecting a component area through a single propagation mode. Numeric simulations parameterizating features of the transducer, such as the number of piezoelectric elements and the geometric dimensions of the transducer’s components, were developed to characterize and investigate the effect on the output response. To validate the numeric simulation results, experimental models of the transducer were built, which were installed on a 2mm thick steel plate to verify the generated propagation modes. The analysis of the relation between the intensity of each mode generated in the plate and the emission quality of the SH0 mode allowed the identification of frequencies that presented the most desirable response characteristics. The behavior of the built transducers was also studied when they were excited by waves propagating through the plate, evaluating the use of the transducers as signal receptors.

In recent decades techniques related to the measurement of elastic waves have advanced significantly. It is now possible with relatively inexpensive equipment to record amplitudes and frequency bands that were unthinkable two decades ago. This has led to the development of theoretical topics which application was questionable until not long ago, to profit from new technological potential in obtaining more and better experimental information. In this context the study of the propagation of guided waves in solids is presented as a knowledge that allows to detect damage with efficiency and economy in a number of structures in which at least one dimension is much larger than the other two. This is the case for rails, tubulations and pressure vessels among others. In this work, guided waves propagation characteristics are studied, first in a prismatic bar and then within the geometry of a rail. In both cases, dispersion curves were computed according two different work methodologies, first using an axisymmetric model and then corroborated with a model of periodic conditions. Finally propagation of a Tone-Burst waves were simulated on the analyzed geometries, leading to the discussion of how the waves scatter along its propagation. The results obtained were the dispersion curves of both sections. / En las últimas décadas técnicas relacionadas con la medición de ondas elásticas han avanzado sensiblemente. Actualmente, con equipamientos relativamente económicos es posible registrar amplitudes y franjas de frecuencia que eran impensables dos décadas atrás. Este hecho ha motivado que tópicos teóricos que hasta hace un tiempo tenían una aplicación cuestionable tengan que ser desarrollados para poder aprovechar las nuevas potencialidades tecnológicas en la obtención de mayor y mejor información experimental. En este contexto, el estudio de la propagación de ondas guiadas en sólidos se presenta como un conocimiento que posibilita detectar daño con eficiencia y economía en una serie de estructuras en las cuales por lo menos una dimensión es mucho mayor que las otras dos. Es el caso de estructuras tubulares, rieles o recipientes sometidos a presión entre otras. En el presente trabajo se estudian las características de propagación de ondas guiadas primeramente una barra rectangular y posteriormente en la geometría de un riel. En ambos casos, fueron calculadas las curvas de dispersión obtenidas con por dos metodologías de trabajo por elementos finitos, la primer metodología fue emplear un cálculo aplicando un modelo axisimétrico, y luego corroborado con un modelo de condiciones periódicas y posteriormente fue simulada la propagación de una onda tipo Toneburst sobre las geometrías analizadas discutiendo cómo dicha onda se dispersa durante su propagación. Los resultados obtenidos fueron las curvas de dispersión de ambas secciones.

A adoção de materiais compósitos pela indústria de petróleo e gás vem ocorrendo de forma gradual, e ainda encontra certa resistência devido à novidade de sua aplicação em projetos mecânicos do setor, e da menor confiabilidade que possuem em relação a metais. A sua implementação em maiores escalas depende também do desenvolvimento de métodos de inspeção e monitoramento de integridade estrutural. Em paralelo a isso, sistemas de varredura de tubulações baseados em ondas guiadas ultrassônicas vêm ganhando espaço devido à sua capacidade de inspecionar toda a seção de trechos extensos de uma tubulação metálica. Baseado nestas duas premissas, este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar estudos visando o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia que seja capaz de obter as propriedades elásticas de um meio e obter as características de propagação das ondas mecânicas, cobrindo uma metodologia para obtenção das propriedades elásticas baseados em ensaios ultrassônicos, um método de otimização baseado em propriedades vibracionais e por fim, confrontando dados provenientes de modelos em elementos finitos com resultados experimentais e aproximações teóricas. Como resultados espera-se gerar informações necessárias para que possa-se compreender os mecanismo de propagação das ondas elásticas, pois é ele que permitirá a obtenção de informações a respeito dos defeitos presentes na estrutura analisada ou ainda utilizar as informações de dispersão em função da frequência e em função da direção para localização de fontes acústicas em meios ortotrópicos, sendo o conhecimento das propriedades de fase e energia das ondas em tais materiais de fundamental importância para a plena exploração do seu potencial de inspeção e monitoramento. / The adoption of new materials by the oil and gas industry has been occurring gradually and still finds some resistance due to the novelty of their application in mechanical design and their lower reliability compared to metals. The usage in large scales also depends on the development of inspection methods and structure health monitoring. In a parallel way, systems that scan pipes using mechanical guided waves have gained space because of their ability to inspect the section of large excerpts of an metallic pipe. Based on these two assumptions, this work aims to study the development of a methodology that is able to obtain the elastic properties of a medium and obtain mechanical characteristics through propagation of the stress waves in it. For this, a method to obtain elastic properties based on ultrasonic testing, a optimization method was based on vibrational properties, and comparison of to data from finite element models with experimental results and theoretical approaches were used. The results are expected to generate information needed for understand the mechanism of propagation of elastic waves, needed to obtain information about defects present in the structure or using information of angular or frequency dispersion for localizing acoustic sources in orthotropic media. As knowledge of the properties of the phase and energy waves propagation in such material are crucial for the full exploitation of inspection and monitoring.

A adoção de materiais compósitos pela indústria de petróleo e gás vem ocorrendo de forma gradual, e ainda encontra certa resistência devido à novidade de sua aplicação em projetos mecânicos do setor, e da menor confiabilidade que possuem em relação a metais. A sua implementação em maiores escalas depende também do desenvolvimento de métodos de inspeção e monitoramento de integridade estrutural. Em paralelo a isso, sistemas de varredura de tubulações baseados em ondas guiadas ultrassônicas vêm ganhando espaço devido à sua capacidade de inspecionar toda a seção de trechos extensos de uma tubulação metálica. Baseado nestas duas premissas, este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar estudos visando o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia que seja capaz de obter as propriedades elásticas de um meio e obter as características de propagação das ondas mecânicas, cobrindo uma metodologia para obtenção das propriedades elásticas baseados em ensaios ultrassônicos, um método de otimização baseado em propriedades vibracionais e por fim, confrontando dados provenientes de modelos em elementos finitos com resultados experimentais e aproximações teóricas. Como resultados espera-se gerar informações necessárias para que possa-se compreender os mecanismo de propagação das ondas elásticas, pois é ele que permitirá a obtenção de informações a respeito dos defeitos presentes na estrutura analisada ou ainda utilizar as informações de dispersão em função da frequência e em função da direção para localização de fontes acústicas em meios ortotrópicos, sendo o conhecimento das propriedades de fase e energia das ondas em tais materiais de fundamental importância para a plena exploração do seu potencial de inspeção e monitoramento. / The adoption of new materials by the oil and gas industry has been occurring gradually and still finds some resistance due to the novelty of their application in mechanical design and their lower reliability compared to metals. The usage in large scales also depends on the development of inspection methods and structure health monitoring. In a parallel way, systems that scan pipes using mechanical guided waves have gained space because of their ability to inspect the section of large excerpts of an metallic pipe. Based on these two assumptions, this work aims to study the development of a methodology that is able to obtain the elastic properties of a medium and obtain mechanical characteristics through propagation of the stress waves in it. For this, a method to obtain elastic properties based on ultrasonic testing, a optimization method was based on vibrational properties, and comparison of to data from finite element models with experimental results and theoretical approaches were used. The results are expected to generate information needed for understand the mechanism of propagation of elastic waves, needed to obtain information about defects present in the structure or using information of angular or frequency dispersion for localizing acoustic sources in orthotropic media. As knowledge of the properties of the phase and energy waves propagation in such material are crucial for the full exploitation of inspection and monitoring.

Une technique de Contrôle Non Destructif (CND) a été développée, permettant la génération et la détection d’ondes de Lamb guidées le long de grandes plaques constituées de différents matériaux (métal, polymère ou composite renforcé par des fibres). Basée sur l’emploi de nombreux éléments étroitement couplés à la plaque, cette technique d’inspection diffère du Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) classique car tous les éléments émetteurs ou récepteurs sont regroupés dans une zone très localisée, définie par la surface active d’une sonde multiélément matricielle, et ne sont pas fixés de manière permanente et distribuée au sein, ou en surface, de la structure testée. De plus, le principe (connu) du déphasage entre éléments est appliqué à la sonde pour la génération et la réception d’un mode de Lamb pur dans (ou provenant) de multiples directions le long de la plaque. Les lois de retards appliquées à ces éléments, aussi bien lorsque la sonde fonctionne en mode émission qu’en mode réception, prennent en compte la nature dispersive de l’onde de Lamb. Enfin, un traitement de signal spécifique est appliqué pour compenser la dispersion subie par les ondes guidées au cours de leur propagation le long de la pièce testée. Un prototype expérimental et sa modélisation par éléments finis sont présentés, ainsi que les mesures et les résultats simulés de ses performances en termes de sélectivité modale et de directivité angulaire. Concernant les applications de CND, la construction d’images, représentatives de toutes les parties de la pièce testée qui diffractent le mode guidé (bord de pièce, défauts, trous, raidisseurs, etc.), a permis de démontrer le potentiel (et quelques limites) de cette technique vis-à-vis d’une inspection rapide de grandes structures, y compris de zones éloignées de la sonde ou encore de zones difficiles d’accès. / A technique of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) was developed for the generation and detection of Lamb waves propagating along large plates made of different materials (metal, polymer or fibre-reinforced composite). Based on the use of many elements closely coupled to the plate, this inspection technique differs from the classic Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) because all the transmitters or receivers are grouped in a very localized area, defined by the active surface of a phased array matrix probe, and are not permanently attached and distributed within or on the surface of the test structure. In addition, the principle (known) of the phase shift between the elements is applied to the probe for generating and receiving a pure Lamb mode in (or from) multiple directions along the plate. The delay laws applied to these elements, in transmit mode or receive mode, take into account the dispersive nature of the Lamb wave. Finally, a specific signal processing is applied to compensate the dispersion suffered by the guided waves during their propagation along the test piece. An experimental prototype and its finite element modeling are presented, as well as measurements and simulation results of its performances in terms of modal selectivity and angular directivity. For NDT applications, the construction of images, representing all parts of the test piece, which diffract the guided mode (edges, defects, holes, stiffeners, etc.), has demonstrated the potential (and some limits) of this technique for a quick inspection of large structures, including areas remote from the probe or areas difficult to access.

The resin anchored rock bolt is used extensively in the mining industry to stabilize the roof and prevent it from collapsing. However, there are different defects associated with a resin anchored rock bolt. Examples are partially encapsulated bolts, over-spinned bolts and corroded bolts. These defects reduce the integrity of the roof, and thereby have an effect on the safety and productivity of the mines. The integrity of the rock bolts is a critical issue for the mining industry because of its influence on the safety of mining operations. Different research groups around the world have addressed the problem of determining rock bolt integrity. The most promising technique found in the literature study was based on guided ultrasonic waves (Beard and Lowe, 2003). This study extended the previous work by Beard and Lowe (2003) using guided ultrasonic waves, to investigate damage in more realistic embedded bolts which deviate from pure cylinders. The fundamental L(0,1) mode in its lower frequency range, as suggested by Beard and Lowe was utilized. This was done through the use of finite element model simulations of various defect scenarios, which were compared to experimental measurements on bolts. Defects like loss of resin encapsulation, voids and local corrosion cracks were addressed. The time traces of the different finite element defect scenarios could be directly compared to experimental time traces which distinguish this study from the analytical approach. Some finite element modelling issues were investigated and it was found that the time step is critical if an implicit solver is used, whereas for an explicit solver the element size is critical if accurate answers are needed. Furthermore it was also apparent that the boundary of the mortar has an influence on the results. The method used in the study was to move the boundaries far enough to prevent interference. This however increases the model size and thereby the computer resources required. Axisymmetric defects were modelled using axisymmetric finite elements to reduce the problem size. These models gave results comparable to the measured bolts. Three-dimensional finite element models seemed to be promising for simulating non-axisymmetric defects. It was found that it is not possible to solve large three-dimensional models without energy absorbing boundaries. Axisymmetrical and three dimensional finite element models of a partially encapsulated bolt and a bolt with a local corrosion crack were built. It was possible to detect simulated local corrosion cracks with the finite element models. Clear reflections for the crack in the bolt could be seen. If the bolt, resin and rock are cracked, different reflections will be detected. These different reflections complicated the interpretation of the results. Once the integrity of models such as these has been established, the models could in principle be used to train neural networks for use in commercial equipment. The present study was limited to lower frequencies because of computer resource limitations. Basic principles and modelling issues could however be addressed and it may be expected that these principles could soon be extended to higher frequencies with a new generation of computers. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / unrestricted

A adoção de materiais compósitos pela indústria de petróleo e gás vem ocorrendo de forma gradual, e ainda encontra certa resistência devido à novidade de sua aplicação em projetos mecânicos do setor, e da menor confiabilidade que possuem em relação a metais. A sua implementação em maiores escalas depende também do desenvolvimento de métodos de inspeção e monitoramento de integridade estrutural. Em paralelo a isso, sistemas de varredura de tubulações baseados em ondas guiadas ultrassônicas vêm ganhando espaço devido à sua capacidade de inspecionar toda a seção de trechos extensos de uma tubulação metálica. Baseado nestas duas premissas, este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar estudos visando o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia que seja capaz de obter as propriedades elásticas de um meio e obter as características de propagação das ondas mecânicas, cobrindo uma metodologia para obtenção das propriedades elásticas baseados em ensaios ultrassônicos, um método de otimização baseado em propriedades vibracionais e por fim, confrontando dados provenientes de modelos em elementos finitos com resultados experimentais e aproximações teóricas. Como resultados espera-se gerar informações necessárias para que possa-se compreender os mecanismo de propagação das ondas elásticas, pois é ele que permitirá a obtenção de informações a respeito dos defeitos presentes na estrutura analisada ou ainda utilizar as informações de dispersão em função da frequência e em função da direção para localização de fontes acústicas em meios ortotrópicos, sendo o conhecimento das propriedades de fase e energia das ondas em tais materiais de fundamental importância para a plena exploração do seu potencial de inspeção e monitoramento. / The adoption of new materials by the oil and gas industry has been occurring gradually and still finds some resistance due to the novelty of their application in mechanical design and their lower reliability compared to metals. The usage in large scales also depends on the development of inspection methods and structure health monitoring. In a parallel way, systems that scan pipes using mechanical guided waves have gained space because of their ability to inspect the section of large excerpts of an metallic pipe. Based on these two assumptions, this work aims to study the development of a methodology that is able to obtain the elastic properties of a medium and obtain mechanical characteristics through propagation of the stress waves in it. For this, a method to obtain elastic properties based on ultrasonic testing, a optimization method was based on vibrational properties, and comparison of to data from finite element models with experimental results and theoretical approaches were used. The results are expected to generate information needed for understand the mechanism of propagation of elastic waves, needed to obtain information about defects present in the structure or using information of angular or frequency dispersion for localizing acoustic sources in orthotropic media. As knowledge of the properties of the phase and energy waves propagation in such material are crucial for the full exploitation of inspection and monitoring.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(情報学) / 甲第21218号 / 情博第671号 / 新制||情||116(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院情報学研究科通信情報システム専攻 / (主査)教授 佐藤 亨, 教授 山本 衛, 教授 松田 哲也 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Informatics / Kyoto University / DFAM

Damage detection in mechanical and aerospace structures is critical to maintaining safe and optimal performance. The early detection of damage increases safety and reduces cost of maintenance and repair. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) integrates sensor networks and structures to autonomously interrogate the structure and detect damage. The development of robust SHM systems is becoming more vital as aerospace structures are becoming more complex. New SHM methods that can determine the health of the structure without using traditional non-destructive evaluation techniques will decrease the cost and time associated with these investigations. The primary SHM method uses the signals recorded on a pristine structure as a reference and compares operational signals to the baseline measurement. One of the current limitations of baseline SHM is that environmental factors, such as temperature and stress, can change the system response so the algorithm indicates damage when there is none. Many structures which can benefit from SHM have multiple components and often have connections and interfaces that also can change under environmental conditions, thus changing the dynamics of the system. This dissertation addresses some of the current limitations of SHM. First the changes that temperature variations and applied stress create on Lamb wave propagation velocity in plates is analytically modeled and validated. Two methods are developed for the analytical derivative of the Lamb wave velocity; the first uses assumes a thermoelastic material while the second expands thermoelastic theory to include thermal expansion and the associated stresses. A model is developed so the baseline measurement can be compensated to eliminate the false positives due to environmental conditions without storage of dispersion curves or baseline signals at each environmental state. Next, a wave based instantaneous baseline method is presented which uses the comparison of simultaneously captured real time signals and can be used to eliminate the influence of environmental effects on damage detection. Finally, wave transmission and conversion across interfaces in prestressed bars is modeled to provide a better understanding of how the coupled axial and flexural dynamics of a non-ideal preloaded interface change with applied load. / Ph. D.