On ultrasound propagation in composite laminates: advances in numerical simulation

The growing use of composite materials for aerospace applications has resulted in the need quantitative methods to analyze components. Ultrasonic guided waves constitute physical approach nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM) solid materials, such as carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. Ultrasound based NDE are commonly used field, but ultrasonic wave behavior can be complicated by presence material anisotropy, complex geometries (e.g., highly curved parts, stiffeners, joints) geometry defects. Common defects occurring composites include delaminations, porosity, microcracking. Computational models propagation CFRP extremely valuable designing practical SHM hardware, software, methodologies that accomplish desired accuracy, reliability, efficiency, coverage. Physics simulation tools model aid development optimized inspection interpretation data. This paper presents a review numerical ultrasound laminates summarizing relevant works date, different methods, their respective applications.