BONDLINE INSPECTION OF COMPLEX STRUCTURES USING GUIDED WAVES

The use of structural adhesive joints is increasing in aerospace and naval applications. Scarf joints, used where dissimilar materials, such as metals and fiber reinforced composite materials are bonded, are difficult to inspect with traditional NDE methods. Ultrasonic guided wave transducers are developed using a hybrid semi-analytical finite element technique to assure the interrogation of the critical region of the joint. Further manipulation of the wave structure of the guided wave is performed using a transitional waveguide so that the impingement of ultrasonic energy into the joint is parallel with the joint interfaces.