Ultrasonic Shear Wave Evaluation of Cracks in Thin Aluminum Samples Using Finite Elements
Open Access
Author:
Rollins, Cate
Area of Honors:
Engineering Science
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Andrea P. Arguelles, Thesis Supervisor Andrea P. Arguelles, Thesis Honors Advisor Christopher Kube, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
Ultrasound Finite Element Analysis Non-Destructive Evaluation
Abstract:
Ultrasound non-destructive evaluation uses ultrasonic waves to detect flaws in
materials without causing harm to the component being inspected. Surface-breaking
flaws that are located on the back surface of a material are inaccessible by a
transducer and therefore difficult to detect. The inaccuracy of current methods to
detect back surface-breaking flaws is particularly prominent in thin materials. This
thesis explores the use of shear waves, created by propagating longitudinal waves
into a material at varying angles, to detect this type of flaw in thin (6.35 mm)
Aluminum 6061. Simulations are used to determine the optimal angle to generate
the shear waves at to achieve the highest sensitivity to back surface flaws.
