Ultrasound Forward Model Validation of Normal Incidence Longitudinal Wave and Angle Beam Shear Wave Inspection of a Quasi-Isotropic Composite Layup with Embedded Damage

Nondestructive characterization is a critical input to lifecycle management of composite structures. Characterization may be achieved through model-based inversion of an ultrasound inspection; however, this approach requires a validated forward model that simulates the ultrasonic response to representative damage. In this work, the tailored ultrasound finite element simulation code PZFlex is exercised for normal incidence and oblique angle inspections of a composite material with ultrathin Teflon inserts. The quality of the model is evaluated quantitatively for the normal incidence case and qualitatively for the oblique angle case. Results demonstrate that validation has been achieved for the normal incidence configuration, while the oblique angle configuration requires further evaluation.