Nonlinear Ultrasonic Characterization of Joint Structures Using Backscatter Guided Waves

Joint structures made from plates or shells are frequently used in large constructions, such as oil storage tanks in petrochemical industries. The corrosion-induced metal loss often appears on the back side of the bottom plate supported by ground or sand. The welding residual stress and weight of shell walls accelerate the corrosion. Determining the severity of metal loss under the joint is challenging. This work uses the mode pair technique for nondestructive inspection of inaccessible regions in joint structures. A finite element analysis model simulates the transient responses of the incident and mode-converted fundamental and second harmonic plate waves. The second harmonic s0 plate wave satisfying the phase velocity matching condition accompanies the transmitted fundamental SH0 plate wave. A directional filter identifies every mode-converted plate wave by comparing the frequency spectra with the dispersion curves. Linear ultrasonic guided waves can detect inaccessible regions using mode-converted reflections. The symmetry of the linear mode-converted fundamental plate waves depends on the defect position and geometry, not the size. The mode-converted second harmonic guided wave can achieve better spatial resolution for defect sizing. The nonlinear parameter shows a proportional trend with an increasing thickness reduction. Experimental and numerical evidence reveals nonlinear ultrasonic guided wave technique has the potential for defect detection in joint structures.