Damage Detection in Thin Composite Laminates Using Piezoelectric Phased Sensor Arrays and Guided Lamb Wave Interrogation

Damage detection in composite laminated panels using Lamb waves is demonstrated with an innovative use of a sensor array and processing algorithm. Two models were developed to characterize the Lamb wave propagation properties of orthotropic panels. Predictions of the dispersion relations were made for a fiber-reinforced composite laminate. Experiments were conducted to empirically characterize the wave propagation behavior in a manufactured laminate. Piezoelectric patches were used as sensors and actuators in the experiments. Comparisons were made between analytical predictions and experimental results, which demonstrate that the higher order model captured essential wave propagation behavior at frequencies of interest. Sensor arrays and associated processing were used for wavenumber decomposition and filtering of the Lamb wave modes. Composite laminates were manufactured with an embedded defect to simulate inter-ply delamination. Experiments were conducted to detect the presence of delamination damage in a composite laminate.