Lamb wave mode conversion and multiple-reflection mechanisms for simply and reliably evaluating delamination in composite laminates

Lamb wave propagation must be understood comprehensively for simply evaluating delamination during ultrasonic testing. However, the difference between wave propagation, visualized using laser Doppler vibrometer and pulsed-laser scanners, has not been sufficiently investigated, and knowledge of optimal conditions for evaluating delamination is limited. Thus, in this study, the mode conversion and multiple reflections of Lamb waves propagating in a delaminated cross-ply laminate were visualized using different laser scanners, delamination depths, and wave incident angles. Delamination was characterized using maximum-amplitude map postprocessing under specific conditions. Further numerical analysis revealed that owing to multiple reflections of the antisymmetric mode in incident and mode-converted waves, standing waves were generated in the delaminated sublaminate. Dispersion curve and flexural stiffness calculations confirmed the conditions required for high-amplitude standing waves, thereby providing guidelines for simply and reliably evaluating delamination during inspections.