Towards the Development of Predictive Models for the System Design and Modal Analysis of Acoustic Emission Based Technologies

Acoustic Emission (AE) techniques are used for the structural health monitoring (SHM) of civil, aeronautic and aerospace structures. In order to depart from the traditional reliance on parameter based analysis, AE diagnostic techniques require the analysis of wave propagation phenomena and the use of predictive modelling tools to improve the monitoring capabilities and provide reliable health monitoring. Additionally, modal based techniques offer potential for optimization of sensor networks in terms of sensor placement and number of sensors, increased source location accuracy and to get an insight into the source mechanisms. If the modes of propagation can be recognised in the received AE signals, then it would be possible to discriminate between damage types. On that account, the present paper develops two methodologies that are useful tools for the investigation and design of wave propagation based SHM systems established upon modal analysis. Firstly, a higher order plate theory for modelling disperse solutions in elastic and viscoelastic fibre-reinforced composites is proposed in order to investigate the radiation and attenuation of Lamb waves in anisotropic media. Second, spectral flat shell elements are used for the simulation of guided waves in shell structures. Numerical simulations and experiments validate the models and demonstrate that material anisotropy has a strong influence on the velocities, attenuation and acoustic energy for the different modes of propagation. It is expected that the presented methodologies may contribute to offer a higher computational efficiency and simplicity in comparison to traditional methods, and enable the design shortening time and cost of development of Lamb wave based damage detection systems for a rapid transfer from laboratory to in-service structures.