Student: Tyler Williams, Undergraduate Student in Aerospace Engineering, Iowa State University
Research Mentor: Paul J. Schafbuch
Boundary Element Method Simulation of Elastic Wave Scattering by Interior Defects
Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) is concentrated on the evaluation of material defects in the various components of engineered systems. The goal is to ensure these defects do not cause the surrounding system to fail while in operation. There are many different approaches to detect voids, inclusions, and cracks hidden underneath the surface. Ultrasonic Testing is a widely used practice for defect detection.
My project consists of working alongside Paul J. Schafbuch on his Solitary Elastic Wave Scatterers (SEWS) program. SEWS is a major program under development to simulate the elastic wave scattering of defects in homogeneous isotropic material. The boundary element method (BEM) is used to numerically simulate the elastic wave scattering by voids, inclusions, and open cracks of any arbitrary three-dimensional shape. The program models the Ultrasonic Testing signal response in the resonant frequency range where current low-frequency and high-frequency models fail. We are working toward a capability for near sub-surface defects as can be created by Additive Manufacturing technology.