Nondestructive testing method based on lamb waves for localization and extent of damage

Based on Lamb wave analysis of propagation in plate-like structures, a damage detection method is proposed that not only locates the position of the damage accurately but also estimates its size. Similar damage detection methods focus only on localization giving no quantitative estimation of extent. To improve detection, we propose two predictive circle methods for size estimation. Numerical simulations and experiments were performed for an aluminum plate with a hole. Two PZT configurations of different sizes were designed to excite and detect Lamb waves. From cross-correlation analysis, the damage location and extent can be determined. Results show that the proposed method enables a better quantitative resolution in detection, the size of the inspection area influences the accuracy of damage identification, and the closer is the inspected area to the damage, the more accurate are the results. The method proposed can be developed into a multiple-step detection method for multi-scale analysis with prospective accuracy.