Antisymmetric feature-guided ultrasonic waves in thin plates with small radius transverse bends from low-frequency symmetric axial excitation

Abstract

The influence of bends constituting annular polygonal structures on ultrasonic guided waves propagating along their axis is investigated. Considering a single bend as a bent plate connects this problem to the better-understood physics of guided waves in straight plates. Using a three-dimensional finite element simulation validated with experiments, bends in plates are shown to act as features that can concentrate and guide ultrasonic energy along their length. Two interesting feature-guided modes are identified when the bent plate is subjected to “in-plane” or axial excitation applied uniformly along a through-thickness line bisecting the bent edge. Of these, the faster traveling mode has properties similar to, but travels at group velocities lower than, the S₀ (fundamental symmetric) Lamb mode in flat plates. This paper however focuses on the slower bend-guided mode that is similar to the A₀ (fundamental anti-symmetric) Lamb mode in flat plates. This mode is shown to be more strongly generated in smaller angle bends where it has a low attenuation. The results are discussed in light of simple modal studies performed using the Semi-Analytical Finite Element method.