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Title: Finite element modeling of ultrasonic waves produced by a pulsed laser

Conference ·
OSTI ID:654128

As part of an effort to apply laser ultrasonics to stress evaluation, sequential thermal and mechanical finite element analyses were used to simulate heating a region of an aluminum surface by a laser pulse and the stress waves that result. As residual or applied stresses can be related to changes in wave velocities, time-of-flight measurements may be used to determine the stresses. The goal of the effort is to improve time-of-flight measurements, and therefore resolution of the calculated stresses, using calculated waveform shapes in model-based signal processing techniques. Detailed finite element simulations of laser ultrasonics may also be used to aid development of techniques that can generate narrow band ultrasound. Because penetration of Rayleigh waves is frequency dependent, they can be used to obtain information about gradients near a surface. If the frequency of the laser generated Rayleigh waves can be controlled, laser ultrasound becomes a more useful tool for examining gradients in material properties or stresses at the surface of a part. Presented here are some preliminary finite element simulations of laser generation of ultrasound waves. Techniques for using commercial finite element codes are discussed and calculated displacement histories are presented for epicentral and same surface locations. These displacement histories are compared with results from the literature.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
654128
Report Number(s):
SAND-98-8455C; CONF-9707100-; ON: DE98052517; TRN: AHC2DT05%%213
Resource Relation:
Conference: 24. annual review of progress in quantitative nondestructive evaluation, San Diego, CA (United States), 24 Jul - 1 Aug 1997; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English