Estimation of ultrasonic guided wave mode conversion in a plate with thickness variation

The hybrid boundary element method aimed at analyzing Lamb wave scattering from defects can provide us with an excellent numerical tool for tackling complicated mode conversion phenomena under waveguide thickness variation. In this paper, utilization of hybrid boundary element modeling for specific Lamb wave mode incidence situations with special energy distributions along the structural cross section is proposed for estimating reflection and transmission from various scatterers, such as a step discontinuity and tapered parts of a waveguide, etc. Interaction of individual Lamb wave modes with scatterers that represent arbitrary thickness variation along the direction of guided wave propagation is investigated by calculating the scattered fields for varying incident modes, frequency, and scatterer shape. The mode conversion phenomena through step discontinuity in a plate are also experimentally explored. The theoretical predictions of reflection and transmission by boundary element methods and the utility of dispersion curves are compared with experiments for specific modes. Results in this paper can be used to improve inspection sensitivity and penetration power for a variety of practical NDE applications, notably those in which thickness variation is found. In addition, the feasibility of inspecting sections located behind a waveguide thickness variation region and subsequent mode control will also be discussed.