Guided wave propagation in carbon composite laminate using piezoelectric wafer active sensors

Attenuation of Lamb waves, both fundamental symmetric and anti-symmetric modes, propagating through carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) was modeled using the multi-physics finite element methods (MP-FEM) and compared with experimental results. Composite plates typical of aerospace applications were used and provide actuation using integrated piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) transducer. The MP-FEM implementation was used to combine electro active sensing materials and structural composite materials. Simulation results obtained with appropriate level of Rayleigh damping are correlated with experimental measurements. Relation between viscous damping and Rayleigh damping were presented and a discussion about wave attenuation due to material damping and geometry spreading have been led. The Rayleigh damping model was used to compute the wave damping coefficient for several frequency and for S0 and A0 mode. The challenge has been examined and discussed when the guided Lamb wave propagation is multimodal.